PATA Philippines Chapter Addresses Industry’s Core Issue

21st April, 2021 - These days, a nagging question has become the buzzword among us, Tourism Industry stakeholders, what with the Industry in hibernation for over a year now.  Although we have been keeping busy with webinars and fora, to upgrade our skills and equip us for the demands of the new reality, still this exasperating query persists---Have we been making money?  

Although we’re now ready for the global reopening of our Industry, thanks to all the Webinars and Fora organized by various Industry organizations, 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 of each other, every time we get into a visual huddle online. 

Since we, the Board of Trustees of PATA Philippines Chapter 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 this core issue that has plagued our Industry through these very challenging months---what else can we do to survive while waiting for our Industry to reopen.

So, instead of another webinar on new tools of the trade, etc., we decided to offer our members a more compelling topic, a lifeline to carry them through these financially grueling months.  We themed our First Business Assembly for the year:  Kumikita Ka Pa Ba?  Kita Tayo.  Sana All (Do You Still Make Money?  Hopefully, Everybody.  Let’s Meet) a question that has been in the minds of our stakeholders all these months.  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 businesses have been operating and making money in spite of the various levels of quarantine caused by the pandemic.

Mario Ramon Ludena (mrludena@pjlhuillier.com) is the Domestic Sales 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 2500 branches and 26,000 participating outlets covering the archipelago.  For such service, our members can earn the corresponding transaction fees.  

Next on the spotlight was Juan Carlos Zozobrado (plukcarlos.zozobrado@gmail.com), 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 (US$2.00) per day on life insurance, the Financial Advisor could earn as much as P65000 (US$1354) 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.  

The Sales Master of Atomy Philippines, Meriam Ildefonso (meriamildefonso@gmail.com), spoke next.  This South Korean company is an online shopping mall for essential household goods and a distribution hub for top quality skin care products.  Its six million agents in fifteen countries bring in revenues from the company’s most popular products---its top-of-the-line health supplement, and the multi-awarded top cosmetic brand in South Korea.  Our members could earn by promoting the many attractive products in the company’s portfolio.  

Capping the list of stellar speakers was PATA Philippines Board Trustee, Simon Ang (gianadeli888@gmail.com), who is also Sales Manager of Giana Deli which specializes in sumptuous, but healthy snacks.  Many have been offering 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 re-sellers of these products which have become the favorite of health-conscious families.  

So, while our Industry is still gasping for survival, waiting for the Tourism machinery to start grinding globally once again, we at PATA Philippines Chapter decided to share with our members some sources of alternative income.  After hibernating for more than a year, it’s time to start something new and enjoy the magic, the excitement of new beginnings, especially of financially rewarding endeavors.