From local tours to Asian destinations, travel firm expands to full-service agency

CEBU, Philippines - A newly-registered travel and tours company found the need to modify its services to maximize the growing opportunities in the tourism market.

Formerly known as Godly Travel and Tours, Lanzy Travel and Tours has expanded its services to individual and group travelers. The company used to cater only to local tours, conventions, seminars, and educational trips for local government units and schools.

Owned and operated by Melanie Quirante and business partner Hope Taboada, Lanzy Travel and Tours have also added services to ensure further convenience for their clients. These include assistance of acquiring visa and passports, bill payments, loading services for all telecommunication networks, and local and international ticketing.

The Cebu-based company now offers international tours particularly in Asian countries in addition to its local tour packages within the Philippines.

Taboada attributed such growth from the increased tourism influx to and from the country, wider tourist market, aggressive expansion of hotels and accommodation establishments, affordable airline fares, and heightened interest of people to travel.

“This year, we would take it to the full blast and make it more convenient for them as more people are more engrossed to travelling. We do not want to restrict ourselves from such opportunities if we chose to stay behind,” she said.

A report from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 showed that it reached 98.95 percent of its target number of tourist arrivals at 3.033 million in 2013.

From January to November of last year, it has recorded around 3, 002, 004 million tourists who visited the region. This is 11.82 percent higher than the 2.684 million recorded in 2012.

The government agency still has to confirm at least 31 819 tourist arrivals recorded last December to be able to meet its target for the year. This year, DOT 7 aims to reach 3.661 million tourist arrivals as its new target.

Meanwhile, the travel and tours agency receives two to three group tour bookings every month usually comprised of 40 to 50 persons.

Taboada said that at present, Lanzy Travel and Tours is banking on its educational tours as its main market. The company could reach up to 700 students booked in a tour package.

She shared that the most visited tourist spots in the Philippines include Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Corregidor, El Nido, Ilocos, and Baguio. In Cebu, the in-demand destinations are the Sumilon Island and Moalboal.

She also said that most of their clients also booked international trips to China, Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Taboada said that with Lanzy Travel and Tours, a three-day, two-night tour package within the Philippines would usually cost between P4,000 to P6,000 while a tour package abroad would cost around P12,000 to P15,000 for the same duration.

Since the company does not have their own tour guides, they hire tour guides who are accredited by the Department of Tourism to handle booked trips.

Quirante said that they are eyeing to open another office in Cebu IT Park and expand in Australia hopefully by yearend. They are also planning to offer tour packages in United States and Europe including pilgrimages.

Lanzy Travel and Tours is currently occupying an office space in Global Hub Serviced Offices, Inc. located at the 12th floor of Keppel Center in Cebu Business Park. —(FREEMAN)