These days, this question has become the buzzword among us, tourism industry stakeholders, what with the industry in hibernation for over a year now. But not to be defeated by this pandemic, we have been keeping busy with webinars and fora, designed to upgrade our skills and to equip us when facing the challenges and demands of the new reality.
Although we’re ready for the global reopening of our industry, which we hope will be very soon, the fact remains that we have had zero income since the pandemic set in more than a year ago. Thus, we have been asking this question to each other every time we get into a visual huddle during the webinars and fora that we attend.
Since we, the Board of Trustees of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), feel that our tourism stakeholders have been “webinar’d” more than enough, we thought it best to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and address the core issue that has plagued our industry through these very challenging months – what else can we do to make money?
So, instead of another webinar or forum on trends or new tools of the trade, etc., we decided to offer our members a more compelling topic, a lifeline to carry them through these financially challenging times, while awaiting the resumption of travel. We themed our First Business Assembly (how we call our General Membership Meeting): “Kumikita Ka Pa Ba? Kita Tayo. Sana All.” It looked like we did the right thing because the event scored the maximum Zoom attendance.
We had four speakers from other industries, and they shared with our members easy-as-pie business opportunities for alternative income. These speakers represent enterprises that have been operating and have been making money in spite of the various levels of quarantine caused by the pandemic.
Mario Ramon Ludena is the domestic dales region head for Mindanao of the PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies. He invited our members to earn extra revenues by being a part of the Cebuana Lhuillier network, known countrywide not only for its pawning services but also for its cash remittance facilities.
He said that our members’ existing offices can serve as remittance facilities for their clients who will then be able to receive cash from or send cash to any part of the country, considering Cebuana Lhuillier’s 2,500 branches and 26,000 participating outlets covering the archipelago. For such service, our members can earn the corresponding transaction fees. Various types of arrangements are available, and details may be obtained from [email protected].
Next on the spotlight was my eldest son, Juan Carlos, his Daddy’s pride and a financial advisor of PRU Life UK who recently won the company’s National Achiever’s Award. He highlighted why our members could easily succeed if they join him as part-time financial advisors – they already have the clients who depend on them for advice, be it on travel or on any other aspect which makes their lives better.
For convincing only one person a week to invest only P100 per day on life insurance, the financial advisor could earn as much as P65,000 a month in commissions. Who would say NO to that? And if the advisor’s productivity continues, he/she is entitled to a bonanza of incentives, e.g., as many as eight bonuses a year, all-expenses-paid domestic and international holidays, free accommodations in de luxe hotels, electronic gadgets, etc. Additional details of this attractive invitation are available through [email protected] or 0920-932-7602.
The sales master of Atomy Philippines, Meriam Ildefonso, spoke next. This South Korean company is an online shopping mall for essential household goods and a distribution hub for top quality skincare products. Its six million agents in 15 countries bring in revenues from the company’s most popular products – its top-of-the-line health supplement and a multi-awarded top cosmetic brand in South Korea.
The company, also a merchandise curator offering directly to the consumers only top-quality brands, wants our members to help promote the many attractive products in its portfolio. Ildefonso may be reached through [email protected] or 0915-448-4012.
Capping the list of stellar speakers was our very own Trustee, Simon Ang, who is also sales manager of Giana Deli which specializes in sumptuous, but healthy snacks. These past months, any Tom, Dick, and Harry have offered all kinds of food items online, but Giana Deli is different. It offers snacks made from chicken meat, which is a welcome treat for those who suffer from various forms of comorbidities.
Our members were invited to earn extra money by becoming resellers of these products, as they are very easy to market because they have become the favorite of health-conscious families. Get more details through [email protected] or 0927-511-6530.
So, while our industry is still gasping for survival, waiting for the tourism machinery to start grinding globally once again, we have to continue finding ways to keep going. Discovering sources of alternative income can make that happen. Besides, we’ve been hibernating for more than a year now. Sometimes, we just have to start something new and enjoy the magic, the excitement of these new beginnings, especially of financially rewarding endeavors. So, when those of us in the tourism industry ask each other the banner question again, we can proudly answer with a resounding YES! Sana all.
YOUR WEEKEND CHUCKLE
GUY (to a lady sitting next to him): Nice perfume! Which one is it? I want to give one to my wife.
LADY: Don’t give it to her. Some idiot will find an excuse to talk to her!
For feedback, I’m at [email protected].
