Consulate, Century Travel tie up for Philippine tour

The Philippine Consulate General on Saipan has inked a partnership with Century Travel for the 7th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour of the Philippines, slated for July 11 to 15.

Consul General Medardo Macaraig said yesterday that Century Travel will be their official partner in promoting the group tour by arranging for the flight and hotel bookings of participants from Saipan.

A flagship tourism project of Philippine embassies and consulates in the United States and Canada, the ACGTD tour was conceptualized in 2004 to lure balikbayans, Americans, and Canadians to the country every summer or around July in North America.

The basic tour cost is from $1,300 on double occupancy, inclusive of fuel tax and surcharges. It will be highlighted by a visit to the Malacañang Palace, the Philippines’ seat of government, with a meeting and photo opportunity with President Benigno S. Aquino III.

Besides the Malacañang visit, participants will also enjoy hotel accommodations with free breakfast at Dusit Hotel in Makati City, dinners with cultural show and entertainment, a wreath-laying ceremony at Rizal Park, a day trip to the Las Casas de Acuzar in Bataan, and other choices of special tours and immersion programs.

Exciting and optional post tours to other beautiful sites in the country such as Cebu and Bohol, Aklan and Boracay, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Bicol, Davao, Laoag and Vigan, and Iloilo and Bacolod, are also available after the basic tour.

Macaraig said that Cesar Lopez of Century Travel, “one of the biggest, trusted and respected travel agencies” in the CNMI, is in charge of the basic tour reservations.

The Consul General said he has already introduced Lopez to Rajah Tours Philippines, the Manila travel agency that will be handling the Manila side of the tour, including the post-tours.

“This would be one of our last projects at the Consulate before we officially close down to the Filipino community in the Commonwealth by October,” Macaraig told Saipan Tribune.

Lopez, in a separate interview, said Century Travel and the Consulate started making arrangements for the tour since February, having negotiated with United Airlines, parent company of Continental Airlines, for great deals and rates for the tour.

“We’re able to negotiate a lower price for the tickets considering that July is a peak season. We were given the group support fare for this tour,” said Lopez.

According to Lopez, they are looking at having at least 10 individuals who will take advantage of this opportunity to travel on cheaper air fares, stay in a fantastic hotel, and get to know more about the Philippines.

Both Lopez and Macaraig encouraged dignitaries, executives, immigrants, and Filipino workers to take part in the ACGTD tour in July.

For more information, call Lopez at 235-3708 or the Consulate at 234-1849.