Islands Group opens transpo, tour services

CEBU, Philippines - Realizing its long term plan of becoming an integrated tourism and travel company, the Islands Group recently opened another subsidiary to add up to its roster of tourism related services with the establishment of Islands Transportation and Islands Tour.

Islands Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer announced yesterday in an interview that the company has started to roll out its fleet of vehicles/vans to initially serve the growing demand for land transfer from airport to hotel and to preferred destinations of both foreign and domestic tourists.

The Group now has a total of eight subsidiaries, all servicing the dynamic tourism sector, these are the Islands Stay Hotel chain, Islands Pasalubong Center, Islands and More lobby shop chains, Islands Banca Cruise, Islands Souvenirs Inc., (lifestyle pasalubong concept), and the recently added Islands Transportation System, and Islands Tour service.

Aldeguer said this addition to the Group is just two of the few concepts that will be introduced by the company in the next five years, which will raise the bar in tourism services and facilities for Cebu, as well as other top tourist destinations in the Philippines.

While the company has also planned to operate a fleet of  Islands Taxi, Aldeguer said it has to start off with offering land transfer requirement from hotels, and airport shuttles, among others.

He said there is a need to professionalize all complementing services of the tourism sector, including the promotion of standardized rates, dependable transportation/taxi drivers, and other related services.

The creation of Islands Taxi and Islands Rent-a-car is already on the drawing board, although the company has yet to complete several permits from concerned government agencies.

At present, the Islands Transportation arm has four vans, which are servicing its sister companies’ requirement for the two Islands Stay Hotels in Cebu, and the Islands Banca Cruise bookings.

Before the end of this year, Islands Group will introduce its version of Islands Tour, wherein it will showcase the authentic Cebuano culture, food, and new landmarks, to add up to the existing historical and heritage destinations in Cebu.

Islands Fun Tours will initially showcase the “Exotic Food” tour, which are distinct to Cebuanos as well as Design Tours displaying the world renowned designs of furniture, fashion accessories, guitars, and fashion among others.

In its exotic food tours, Aldeguer mentioned the inclusion of Cebuanos’ love for exotic food offered by street vendors, like the famous “Larang, Bakasi [eel], puffer fish” menus in Pasil, and maybe showcasing a hygienic “Pongko-Pongko” street food concept of Cebuano rugged way of dining.

He said the Islands Fun Tour packages will also be created the “Islands Way,” which means—quality, affordability and fun, with a touch of the destinations’ distinctive culture.

“Having seen the potential of tours, we now decided to spin-off, and create our own brand of ‘Fun Tours’, that will be under the Islands Fun Tours company,” he said.

In the next couple of  years, we are going to tie-up all our businesses in synergy and connecting the dots, to serve the entire tourism sector.

“We have to constantly look for new products and services to be offered for tourists—the ‘Island’s way,’” Aldeguer said.

He said the Philippines has a lot to offer and tourism opportunity for investors is huge. However, products and services should be unique and travelers now are more adventurous demanding for services will make them experience the culture of a destination. /JOB (FREEMAN)