New possibilities for biz & tourism

After waiting weeks to book a guest for our talk show AGENDA on Cignal TV, he finally got back to us and agreed to do the interview yesterday, but I felt the timing for the topic was so bad that viewers might get turned off because yesterday was when the new price hike on fuel came into effect and we were going to be talking about “Overlanding” or camping on wheels. At more than P76 per liter for diesel, talking about mobile camping or Overlanding could have sounded preposterous or mean, but once we got into the interview with Joel Conrad Pedro, chief adventure officer of Overland Kings, it quickly became clear that vehicle-based camping had numerous benefits as well as new business possibilities for those in the private sector as well as local governments all over the country, wherever there are roads as well as “RoRo”s or roll on-roll off inter-island ferry services.

The Philippines is one of many countries where vehicle choices have dramatically shifted from cars or sedans to AUVs, pick-ups and medium to full size SUVs. It is no longer a status symbol but about maximizing purpose and utilization of vehicles, given how expensive they are nowadays. So instead of just using them for commuting and commercial purposes, Overlanding now gives owners another use and benefit from their vehicles that become “hotels” on the go or their house on wheels. Such a set up does not limit travelers to one building or a resort or what people call “tourist traps” because they can’t go anywhere else. In fact, Overlanding allows travelers to go to non-traditional destinations that are not commercially available but offers the beauty and attractions of the Philippines. Just to be clear this is still camping but fully incorporating your vehicle into the set-up. You still use tents, do campfires and cook with coal or wood. You don’t drive an RV, motorhome or tow a camper.

Aside from flexibility of movement and location, the average costs per person for Overlanders and people with limited budgets is far less or cheaper than staying in a business hotel or two-star resort when you compute room rates, food and drinks, etc. Some of the few emerging camp sites east of Metro Manila or in Zambales province are primarily small resorts that give Overlanders use of their facilities for as low as P1,000/day for parking, use of toilets and bathrooms and to recharge power banks. This may seem a small price but given the fact that Overlanders directly or indirectly contribute to the daily earnings, these campsites/resorts have a good thing going, especially in terms of promotional benefits and repeat customers. This is already a long established and profitable business in Europe and America, where families travel similarly or tow mobile homes and stay in “trailer parks” or campsites.

When I visited Yosemite Park in California, I drove up in a car, pitched a tent, used the campsite showers and dining facilities or cooked near my car. At night, we used the car as the storage locker in case raccoons or stray bears came around. That never happened, but that is one use of the vehicle when you go “Overlanding.”

If you are someone stuck with a hectare or so of land in a semi interesting location, setting up a campsite with minimal facilities could be a potential business. For local government units in provinces, such a campsite will be a good starter kit for tourism in great locations lacking electrification. In fact, every province and town should start setting up such campsites because the capital requirements are so small. Just have tourist attractions, security and basic facilities. It earns more than a parking garage at a microscopic fraction of the cost; guests buy from local businesses and build up tourism in your neighborhood. As the Bible teaches us: Do not mock small beginnings, for what is important is that the work is started.

If I remember correctly, we have a National Parks Office under the Office of the President. I pray that the next president sees value in such a business model because it creates businesses, boosts tourism and spreads wealth to a wider population.

*      *      *

So, what does it take to get started as an Overland camper? First you need the vehicle: AUV, pick-up, SUV. It can be a 2-wheel drive for normal roads and terrains or dry surfaces, or a 4-wheel drive for those who are into going off road such as driving in the lahar lands or the outback of Mt. Pinatubo or crossing rivers or driving along sandy beaches.

For basic gear, Joel Pedro suggested getting a retractable awning for those serious about getting into the lifestyle and for those on a very low budget, buy a decent piece of tarp or trapal or shade material to attach to the side of the vehicle to provide shade and some protection from heat or rain. After that, he suggests buying a large or big lithium power bank as an energy source of electricity for a portable ref or freezer, lights and powering up laptops, phones, etc. Back in the day, we simply carried a huge wet cell battery or a mini generator and a large Styrofoam ice chest full of ice and a couple of Petromax lamps, but technology has improved immensely.

In the daytime, you can recharge your power banks through the vehicle’s alternator or through solar panels that are now very light, rugged and affordable for long-term use. Then your budget and traveling companions determine if you use a roof mounted tent like many safari adventurers do or set up family tents so all the kids are within line of sight at bedtime. Everything else is an add-on. Camping, bonfires, telling stories and jokes all away from laptops, iPad, etc. That’s how you make memories that last!

*      *      *

E-mail: [email protected]