Bestplaces.ph helps promote Phl tourism to global market

CEBU, Philippines - Online services developer Now Group Inc. has inked a partnership deal with a travel operator in Cebu to start off a tourism-related online portal to promote the Philippines to the global travelers.

Travel Vision, one of the largest travel operators in Cebu owned by Jenny Franco, will pioneer the support for the creation of “Bestplaces.ph”, a localized travel site that will help tourism promoters to access the global audience easily.

Now Group Inc. managing director John Kim said in an interview that the Philippines, with its attractive tourism places and diverse beautiful destinations, should be given a prominent presence online and that travelers should also be provided easier access to book and find good packages without hassles.

“The biggest challenge for local service providers in tourism in the Philippines is how to reach the global clients, lure them to visit the beautiful country, and most importantly, get the best of the Philippines—the best places, food, and fun,” said Kim.

Bestplaces.ph is country-specific and contents are provided by local experts to bring out the best of the Philippines. It also provides solutions where tourists, especially foreigners can have the best memories in their travel or vacation to the country.

Now Group has also partnered with Singapore-based lawyer Paul Sung Woo Nam to tap the different hybrid offline and online travel operators in Singapore.

Kim mentioned that Singaporeans with their expensive lifestyle,  or even those foreigners in different nationalities working in Singapore, could opt to make the Philippines as their alternative weekend get-away destination as airfare and cost of stay even for two or three days here will come out cheaper.

Initially, aside from Singapore, the Now Group will also partner with travel stakeholders in other countries, like United States, Europe and Korea, among others.

Kim, a venture capitalist and has businesses in Silicon Valley, said that his company will also promote Cebu as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) destination for Silicon Valley-based companies.

“We would like to tap the companies in Silicon Valley which have a lot of money and often provide their people travel incentives,” Kim said.

The Bestplace.ph is a MICE-certified online portal that will make it easier for the site to attract the MICE related events all over the world.

Bestplace.ph is just one of Now Group’s online service portals, created by Cebuano developers. Kim decided to make Cebu his alternative headquarters to take advantage of the rich supply of technology developers here.

Aside from Travel Vision, Kim is inviting other travel operators to join the site and pitch in their different travel packages to entice both local and foreign travelers.

“We are looking for more partners in the tourism industry to augment our operator, and ultimately make the Philippines highly prominent in the online travel destination lists,” Kim said. — (FREEMAN)