Islands Banca Cruises brace for summer booking influx

CEBU, Philippines - In anticipation to the growing demand for outdoor activities this summer, the Islands Group has opened additional booking facilities in strategic areas in the city. 

Islands Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jay Aldeguer announced that this measure was taken recently to accommodate the influx of bookings starting this Lenten season on to the summer season.

Booking stations were already set up along Archbishop Reyes Ave., fronting the Islands Stay Hotel that is manned by trained trip specialists to assist guests with their island-hopping activities.

The establishment of the new facility was spurred by the growing number of island-hopping bookings that now include birthday celebrations, pre-nuptial photo shoots, children’s parties and family reunions, said Aldeguer.

"The potential of Islands Banca Cruises, which has been growing fast in recent years, and the need to pave the way for other types of tour and travel bookings has prompted us to open a facility," he said.    

Islands Banca Cruises average over 2,000 bookings annually. This already includes outsourced boats which they deploy when they are fully booked, especially during weekends.

Summer is considered the peak season for Islands Banca, although they are almost fully booked every weekend.

"Many of these inquiries need face-to-face planning so the booking station will be the 'perfect venue' for their customers to explain their needs," said Aldeguer.

Aside from being the venue to plan and pay for the island-hopping activities, the booking station will serve as a pick-up point for guests using their shuttle to the port.

Aldeguer who is one of the prime movers and tourism capitalists of Cebu and Philippine tourism in general, added that the company will replicate these booking stations in other parts of Cebu and Davao where they offer Islands Banca services. Soon they will also set up the facility in Palawan.

The company also plans to put in place satellite booking stations in some of their strategically located stores nationwide, particularly in places where there is dense foot traffic or in tourist spots where they are the only ones present.

The Islands Group introduced the Islands Banca Cruises in the summer of 2008 with initial investment of P2 million.

Aldeguer said the potential of Cebu on becoming the island destination in the country is overwhelming because the province offers many water-related activities, like island hopping, diving, and snorkeling, among others.

Islands Banca Cruises pioneered the introduction of modernized island-hopping activity by providing sophisticated services on board and organized island hopping itineraries for visitors.

Meanwhile, the company, which also operates a chain of "no frills hotels", called The Island Stay Hotel also plans to open hotel facilities in Puerto Princesa, Bohol and Manila within this year./JOB (FREEMAN)