Travel agencies support Bangon Tours initiative

CEBU, Philippines - The Network of Independent Travel Agencies (NITAs) expressed support to the Tourism Promotions Board  led special program called “Bangon Tours,” saying more attractive packages will be introduced by its members.

NITAs president Bobby Lim Joseph said in an interview that while its members are now doing the packages for this particular program, NITAs will call on its members to provide more innovative travel packages to further lure more foreign and local tourists to visit disaster-hit areas in the Philippines.

In an earlier pronouncement, Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), formerly known as the Philippine Visitors and Conventions Center, chief operating officer Domingo Enerio said that the Philippines will likely miss its 5.5 million visitor arrivals target on account of the triple whammy which hit the tourism sector, such as the Zamboanga crisis in September, earthquake in October, and the super Typhoon Yolanda in November.

According to Joseph, NITAs will meet with the secretary of Department of Tourism (DOT) Ramon Jimenez next month, and one of the things that will be discussed is the commitment of the group to offer more innovative concepts for travel packages in the Philippines, in support of the “Bangon Tours” program.

The anticipated drop in foreign arrivals is one of the reasons the DOT, through the TPB, has launched “Bangon Tours”, a social tourism effort aimed at encouraging domestic travelers to visit major tourism destinations as a way to help in the rehabilitation and recovery of disaster stricken areas.

The project, according to Enerio is in line with the government’s recovery and rebuilding efforts for the survivors of calamities through the promotion of domestic tourism.

It is an invitation initially to the Filipino market to travel within the Philippines during the holiday period, visit fun destinations, and participate rebuilding efforts, Enerio added.

The project is participated initially by some 20 members of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association and the Philippine Tour Operators Association, however, Enerio hopes that other tourism establishments such as restaurants, shopping malls, and other retail outlets as well as credit card issuers and banks will also join the social tourism effort.

TPB initially identified 16 areas to be featured in Bangon Tours program, these are Ilocos, Tuguegarao, Baguio, Batangas-Puerto Galera, Manila-Tagaytay, Puerto Princesa, Baler, Bicol, Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Iloilo, Boracay, Siargao, Cagayan de Oro, Camiguin, and Batanes.

Although, Cebu Pacific had already announced its support to the social tourism program, Joseph said that “Bangon Tours” will have its peak result if more and more airlines will join the cause, not only the local carriers but also international airline companies which has existing routes in the Philippines.

Enerio said that the participating tourist establishments are initially offering special tour packages to 16 tourist destinations nationwide and more destinations will be added.

These establishments are being asked to share at least five percent of their net income from the tour packages/room nights sold via “Bangon Tours”.

The percentage share will be directly given to the company’s chosen nongovernment organization (NGO) or charitable foundation involved with the disaster-affected communities.

TPB recommends charities like Philippine Red Cross, Gawad Kalinga, World Vision, and the United Nations Children Emergency Fund. However, participants can also opt to donate of their proceeds to local charities or civic organizations in their communities that would want to help in the Yolanda relief effort. /JOB (FREEMAN)