The Philippine Travel Agencies Association has stepped up its campaign against scams targeting business travelers and tourists.
In a statement, PTAA public relations officer Jaison Yang also declared that they are ready to pursue legal action against any person or entity who will use the PTAA logo without permission, in any form or manner.
The PTAA recently began an intensive information drive to arm travelers with information that will protect them against scams.
“There are several red flags that you must not ignore when seeing any travel deals or offers. First, if the deal is too good to be true, ignore it or do additional research. You are being baited into accepting a deal that, in the end, will cost you more, or worse, entirely lose your travel money,” Yang said.
The PTAA infomercial also cautioned would-be travelers against agents or agencies that would demand an advance deposit to process their papers. Most of these scammers are also using personal accounts where they will ask you to make these deposits.
“Before you book your trips, ask for recommendations from your relatives and friends. Sino ba ang travel agencies na tried and tested na nila? Their testimonials can be your safety net,” Yang added.
The PTAA said that while it does not discourage do-it-yourself travel arrangements, travelers should exert extra effort towards research.
“Do your own research. In this digital era, everything can be found online. Compare the prices of both online travel booking platforms and traditional travel agencies. Check every detail, such as inclusions, taxes, and the and the standard of services. If you do your research online, double-check if the sites you are visiting are legitimate,” Yang pointed out.
The PTAA, however, insisted that the best protection is still the use of reliable travel agencies.
“Did you know that booking through a travel agency does not cost you extra money? Travel professionals will plan every detail of your trip. From suggesting the most cost-efficient flights to the best hotel location, day-to-day itinerary, and even restaurants, Most importantly, tunay na tao at hindi computer ang kausap mo. And that will give you the peace of mind you deserve,” Yang added.
