Thursday, October 09, 2008 Attap welcomes new members, new ideas By Marge Paraz Santos
THE Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga Inc., popularly known as Attap, is organized five months ago in its bid to revitalize the travel and tourism industry in the province.
Composed of legitimate travel agencies in Pampanga headed by its lady President Paz Gozum of GoPaz Travel, the group is set to become the leader in the travel industry by promoting the highest ethical standards and professionalism in tourism. The group operates with the mission of harnessing legitimate travel and tourism potentials by providing legitimate tours and vacation packages for both domestic and foreign travelers.
Supported and highly endorsed by the office of the Department of Tourism-Region 3 headed by Dir. Ronnie Tiotuico, ATTAP represents the private sector-led activities and programs of the regional office including representations with the annual North Philippines Tourism Fair, and travel missions here and abroad. The foundation also represents the travel industry to the Central Luzon Tourism Council, Inc. led by its regional chairman Lydia Co of Tarlac City.
During their recent evening get-together at the Spencer's Fusion Bar & Restaurant function room, Attap welcomed guest presenters, which were surely beneficial for both their patrons and their agencies. Such interesting offer came from Worldwide Travel Insurance Plans represented by Danny Sandoval who discussed cashless plans and reimbursable plans from the Oriental Assurance Corporation and the International SOS.
According to him, the Cashless Promo Plans comes in Classic (Asia), Deluxe (USA/Canada), Europe (Worldwide acceptance) and Cashless Premier Plan (Gold & Platinum). The Reimbursable Plans offers irresistible group insurance plans. Sandoval boasts of their company's unique benefits which include payment of patient's medical expenses, assures emergency evacuation (when traveling), honors trip cancellations/terminations, loss of baggage including theft; just to mention a few of its long list of insurance features. In short, Sandoval, with his catchy audio visual presentations of what they offer, summed up making this travel insurance to be the most comprehensive and offers the most assistance to its clients. To know more of them, you can just log on to their website.
Meteor Phils., Inc., a Manila-based Mediterranean Tour Operator, headed by GM Ligaya Tabirao, presented their exciting tour products to ATTAP members as well as gave short tips and styles how to get more, serve more and make good business without hurting the valued patrons. Marj Cruz, Meteor's Assistant & Operations Manager said it all without batting an eyelash. With confidence and expertise, she did not only give away her tours but took a seminar on how to handle agents, passengers, be abreast with the "seasonalities" of the tours; tipped that in order to sell the destinations effectively, travel agents must personally experience the tour and lastly, and agents must learn to trouble shoot to get repeat customers.
Emmanuel Abastillas of Air Philippines gave a brief introduction of his company and gave away some of its company tokens to the attendees. As final presentation over an appetizing buffet with roast beef and chicken cordon bleu (yummy!), Dir. Tiotuico quickly presented the website which he personally created for ATTAP (lucky you!). Briefly, and for free, he encouraged Attap members to just fill up the information for their benefit, and take advantage of the website.:-)
Anyway, the rainy evening ended up with-nothing much really.. :-) Attap just decided to raffle off Egypt tours (courtesy of Meteor Phils.!), gave away huge umbrellas and bags (is it Christmas yet?) and final distribution of Golf Tourney tickets for their upcoming "1st FesTEEval Showdown '08" at the Mimosa Golf and Country Club in Clark, Pampanga this October 15th. Tee time starts at 7 a.m. and party starts at 7 p.m. See you there and have the chance to win plane tickets abroad as raffles prizes! Proceeds of the tourney will benefit the Pampanga Deaf Association.
