Boracay Philippines Golf - Consumer Alert
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. is a legally registered and licensed travel agency in the Philippines dedicated to serving travelers coming to the Philippines with helpful information regarding how to find a reliable and trustworthy Philippines travel agency. Since July of 2005 WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. has been arranging Philippines packages, hotels and resort accommodations, domestic and international flights and tours for hundreds of Philippine tourist.
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc. employees over 10 professionally educated and trained travel agents, each having at least the minimum required 2 year college degree in Bachelor of Science in Tourism.
By reading our Philippines consumer travel alert information we hope it will help you to avoid getting involved with a Philippines travel agency that is not reputable or reliable.
Be Aware of Some Online Travel Agencies
Since 2005 the number of internet based travel agencies to come online is nothing short of astonishing to say the very least. In today's market just about anyone with a computer and basic knowledge of Microsoft FrontPage can create a website, and online travel websites are a popular choice due to the easy access to the hotel, resort and tour information. Also the Philippines travel industry is largely unregulated, and herein lies the issues that consumers face.
First lets point out that not all internet based travel agencies are bad or operated by unscrupulous and greedy individuals seeking to line there pockets with money, rather than place the travelers needs first. There are many reputable and honest travel agencies with an internet presence, who are truly there for the passion of travel and helping tourist. The difficult part comes at just how to determine which online travel agency is the right one, and this is where we can help you. After being in the Philippines travel and tour business since 2005 we have seen and experienced many things that we can now use to benefit Philippine tourist.
Here is a list of important questions to ask yourself about the online Philippines travel agency you are thinking about using for your Philippines travel and tour package.
1.) Does the Philippines travel website look like it is representing a specific hotel, but bookings are being handled by an online travel agency? There are a few online travel agencies out there who have purchased the hotel domain names without the permission of the hotels, hoping to position themselves in the search engines above even the official hotel or resort websites, to increase there booking revenue. We highly recommend NOT doing business with these travel agencies.
2.) Does the Philippines travel agency have a physical location?
3.) Does the Philippines travel agency allow walk-in guest during working ours?
4.) Does the Philippines travel agency website offer local and or international phone numbers?
5.) Is the Philippines travel agency registered with the "Republic of the Philippines Securities and Exchange Commission"?
6.) Does the Philippines travel agency have a "Department of Trade and Industry Certificate"?
7.) Is the Philippines travel agency "located within the city listed on there business permit"?
8.) Does the Philippines travel agency "website name" match the name on there business permit?
9.) Does the Philippines travel agency "name on the bank account" match the incorporated business name?
10. Does the Philippines travel agency "accept credit cards and or PayPal"?
11.) Does the Philippines travel agency offer "Live Chat communication" on its website?
12.) Does the the Philippines travel agency offer "24 hour 7 day a week, 365 day a year emergency support"?
By Philippines Law the following requirements must be met to legally operate a Philippines travel agency:
1. DTI - "Department of Trade and Industry" Certificate of Business Name Registration
2. SEC Registration "Philippines Securities & Exchange Commission" - Certificate of Incorporation
3. Corporate Bank Account -
3. BIR "Bureau of Internal Revenue" Registration
4. Business Permit / Mayor's Permit
5. License to Operate a Travel Agency from "The Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office"
6. SSS Registration / Philhealth Registration / Pag-ibig Registration
To operate a travel agency in the Philippines cost money, after all, quality service cannot be provided cheaply, therefore we ask that you support legal Philippines travel agencies by giving them your business.
Thank You,
WOW Philippines Travel Agency, Inc.
Securities & Exchange Commission