Travel agency offers online self-service booking system

CEBU, Philippines - Breaking the traditional approach of serving guests and tourists, an online travel agency aims to cater to the growing tourism industry in the country by providing a one-stop shop for bookings of flights and accommodations in hotels with convenience.

Travel Unlimited Online is a self-service system where guests and travellers can easily book flights and reserve accommodations online.

Developed to make travel more accessible, the business was conceptualized in April 2012 and started its full operations last June.

The system works when a client visits the website to search his preferred flight. Upon selecting, he will get a confirmation via SMS and email.  He is then advised to fill up the passenger name record. After which, he could book the ticket upon payment.

One can get and print the electronic e-ticket after ten minutes.

One can check affordable rates to airfares for domestic and international flights in the system.

It also offers vacation and travel packages for travel holidays, educational tours and business trips.

Aries Patolot, assistant vice president for marketing of Travel Unlimited Online, noted that the industry is not yet saturated for travel agencies as long as more tourist sports and destinations will be developed in the country, thus increasing visitor arrivals.

He said that Travel Unlimited Online serves as an advocate of the Philippine tourism by featuring different tourist destinations in the country.

He commended the vibrant tourism industry that is going above the average with the aggressive promotional campaign of the Department of Tourism.

To date, he said that domestic travellers accounted 70% of the buyers’ profile served by the online travel agency.

He cited that for international clients, tourists mostly come from Asian countries like the Middle East.

He added that Overseas Filipino Workers who serve as balikbayans in the country also dominate the market.

He also said that Manila, Cebu and Boracay are considered to be top three tourist destinations that are mostly visited by tourists.

Travel Unlimited Online is mainly based in Manila.

Although it is an online business, the company has less than 150 travel agents who visit potential clients especially hotels, manning agencies and other companies that show interest to acquire the booking system in their establishments as an additional amenity or income-generating service.

Once affiliated with Travel Unlimited Online, business partners are allowed to issue the ticket by themselves.

Apart from its satellite office in Cebu, it will also have upcoming outlets in Bicol, Batangas, Cavite, and Cagayan de Oro.

Patolot further revealed that the company aims to reach the masses and plans to go the barangay level for to find affiliates for the business with the coordination of local government units.

He assured the authenticity of the booking system if a barangay partners with them, provided that the former has complied with the business permit and other legal requirements needed.

The company also plans to partner with pawnshops, convenience stores and supermarkets as an addition to the line-up of payment getaways aside from credit cards.

It recently tied up with Express Pay for issuing tickets for international and domestic travellers. (FREEMAN)