ECQ Stories: How travel agencies are handling the impact of the pandemic
With tourism taking a strong blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, travel agencies have started to get creative on how they can lessen the impact of the health crisis on their businesses.
Doris Malonzo in front of the Statue of Liberty
@jadmalonzo (FB)
GMANetwork.com reached out to travel agency owners Raf Dionisio and Doris Malonzo to find out how they are coping with the ongoing pandemic.
Tourism industry takes a hit
The strict travel restrictions implemented worldwide have a huge impact on the tourism industry.
According to Doris Malonzo, owner of Skylife Travel and Tours, the pandemic's effect on their business has been felt since early this year, even before the quarantine period commenced.
“Since January, there have been cancellations of international flights due to countries tightening their borders. The following month, most local flights have been canceled.
“We lost a lot due to group bookings and marketing expenses that were already paid in advance.”
Raf Dionisio, owner of MAD Travel, a sustainable tourism social enterprise that specializes in eco-cultural tours, revealed the immensity of the pandemic's effect on their business.
“There are zero bookings for the year. We used to rely on international tourism a lot, but now even local tourism is zero.”
Adapting to changing times
The pandemic may have been unkind to the tourism industry, but travel agency owners like Raf and Doris have found ways to continue thriving despite the setback.
Doris has initiated promos in their travel agency to encourage people to book now and travel later.
“We created promos like 20% off if customers book now and travel later. We also have a promo where customers who already booked their group tours before ECQ can opt to rebook to receive PhP 1,000 in cash, or to be deducted from the package rate instead of opting to refund.”
She also looked after her employees by giving them their full salary during the first two months of the ECQ, even if their office was closed and there was no revenue generated.
More importantly, Doris was able to give birth to a new line of business to address the needs of consumers during the quarantine period, the Virtual Talipapa.
The Virtual Talipapa
@virtualtalipapa (FB)
“At first, the idea was to cater to people at risk (senior citizens, pregnant women) but it has been a success that we're currently expanding.
“We started with selling products from the local market like fruits, vegetables, poultry, pork, beef, and fish. Now, we're also selling grocery products, and customers can also avail of our Pabili service scheduled weekly.”
As for Raf, he was able to create two new business ventures that are closely tied to MAD Travel: the MAD Market and MAD courses.
The MAD Market
@makeadifferencemarket (IG)
“We have pivoted the business. At our core, we are a company that works with communities to help include them in economic progress, revitalize the environment, and open people's eyes--through experiences--that there are better ways to do things.
“So, we continue to work with communities -- not in experiences, but with the products they produce: food, honey, coffee, fruits, and vegetables. We started MAD Market and are happy to see that we can still impact the lives of others even if we cannot visit them.
“With our economy shrinking, and climate change still hot on our tail, we need to make sure to empower and invest in our food frontliners, or else we may end up completely reliant on other countries for food.”
Raf Dionisio explaining the importance of sustainability to the Aetas of Zamabales
@rafdionisio (IG)
As for MAD Courses, it is lifted from the educational aspect of their eco-cultural tours.
“It aims to connect students to the world of social enterprise, and that world has to expand as its relevance is far greater now than it has ever been. Reducing inequalities, creating social justice -- these things start with our understanding of the world, and how we act in it.
“The interaction of students with social entrepreneurs is key as there is an exchange of ideas, and we can make lessons come to life. We offer one-hour courses, 20-hour mentorship programs, and soon virtual tours -- all related to the sustainable development goals and the communities we worked with in tourism.”
Advice for other travel agencies
Raf encourages other travel agencies to use their strengths to adapt to the challenging situation.
“I think travel agencies are very good in sales and customer service, so it's a matter of applying those skills to something else that the world needs today.
“There are many industries that are still booming. We just need to study the situation in our immediate area.”
The MAD travel team
@madtravel_ph (IG)
As for Doris, she has five practical tips for owners of travel agencies like herself.
“First, they must cut the losses. Start with the office rent, they can write a letter to the office administration if they can give a discount or totally waive it since no business has been conducted.
“Staggered payment is also an option to mitigate the loss. If possible, adapt and create an alternative source of income that is in line with our current situation.
“Second, prepare for the worst. Assume that the travel industry will take the longest time to recover.
“Third, spend your money wisely. Buy only what's necessary and save money to invest in new opportunities.
“Fourth, settle your payables. Pay your credit card and/or loans to avoid accumulated interests.
“And lastly, let's hope for the best and prepare for the eventual recovery of the travel industry.”
Doris Malonzo in front of the Golden Gate Bridge
@jadmalonzo (FB)
A ray of hope
While traveling for leisure is still prohibited under the general community quarantine (GCQ), a ray of hope shines for the tourism industry.
According to Doris, her travel agency Skylife Travel and Tours is doing better now that the GCQ has begun in Metro Manila.
“It's incomparable before the pandemic, but definitely better than the last three months.
“People now are considering the option of rebooking instead of refunding. And aside from that, clients (new and old) have sent us inquiries and they are already on the process of booking and payment.”
Moreover, she revealed that the Department of Tourism is doing its part in determining how to bring back tourism on its feet by implementing safety measures.
Tourists during one of MAD Travel's Tribes and Treks Zambales Experience
@madtravel_ph (IG)
As for Raf, he remains optimistic about how the travel industry is going to recover from the pandemic.
“We hope travel resumes, but it will be very different from before -- and we will have more incentive than ever to make sure that travel is sustainable.”
He also has words of encouragement for farmers, who serve as one of the frontliners in this health crisis--some of them he has also worked closely with.
“Sa mga kababayang magsasaka, kayo ang pag-asa ng bansa. Kailangan ninyong magpalakas at magtagumpay sa inyong negosyo. Kung hindi, tuluyang magugutom ang bansa at baka mapasailalim tayo sa kapangyarihan ng banyaga dahil sila lang ang magpapakain sa atin.
“Nakikiusap akong bigyan ninyo kami ng pagkakataon na makapagtrabaho at matulungan kayo. Maraming kabataang Pilipinong humahanga sa inyong sipag at tiyaga, at gustong makita na magtagumpay at yumaman kayo.
“Maraming inihanda ang DA (Department of Agriculture) at iba't ibang NGO, social enterprise, at kumpanya para matulungan kayo. Sana umabot ito sa inyo.
“Kung nangangailangan ng tulong, magsabi lang po at baka may kakilalang puwedeng tumulong.
“At sa mga taga-siyudad, huwag nating hayaang masayang ang pinaghirapang itanim. Suportahan ang tanim ng inang bayan.”
It is truly inspiring to see that travel agency owners not only strive to remain in business during the pandemic, but they also try to provide the needs of the consumers throughout the quarantine period, and also help workers whose livelihood have been greatly affected by the health crisis.
With their efforts in using their ingenuity and compassion in creating new businesses that also benefit their employees and consumers, they have made healing as one amid the pandemic a reality.
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