This was a question (or statement) posted by a Twitter follower:
First of all, I wanna thank you @budingdamachi for bringing this up. 🙂 This was the same question running on my mind as we are returning back to mainland Camarines Norte from a beach getaway in Calaguas island. 🙂
I always always keep this in mind “spend less, travel more.” For more than 3 years I’ve been telling people that you don’t need heaps of money to be able to travel. So in that regard I teach and encourage people to “do-it-yourself” in their travels. That has been what I’m doing for the past years and pretty much has covered all areas in the Philippines where travelers want to visit in their travels.
So, why is this guy who encourages people too DIY making package tours now? 🙂
Here are the top 5 reasons why I ventured into Tour Organizing.
1. Travelers Change.
I have backpacked the Philippines for 100 days solo. This time I want to share the travel experience with the most people possible. I still travel solo but I want to share the joy of travel to friends and blog readers even for 3-4 days. I also realized that most people have a 9-5-M-F-job so I want to give them an opportunity to enjoy their weekends without spending that much.
Bathing on the sun instead of staying in busy Manila is priceless right? For only Php3,500 all-in Calaguas Beach Getaway, why not?
2. Level-up of “spend less, travel more” motto.
When I search the internet and tour agencies offering packages to this place or that, I always say, “WHEEEEW! THAT. IS. TOO. EXPENSIVE.” For a P500/day guy, spending Php4,000 or more on a weekend is really crazy. So I guess I want to give an alternative. A cheaper alternative but an awesome one. You see, most if not all my tours are cheaper than the tours out there, not to mention the personal touch I put into my organize trips. Ask my former clients and they would say, “we were spoiled by journeyingjames.”
Spoiled participants, Ivy and Muriel, enjoying the private beach in Coron, all to themsleves
In my Palawan tours, I make the itinerary myself based on the client’s schedule. I also give discounts and last minute changes when they experience delayed flights.
I even join the participants and tour them myself (Sorsogon Book Sharing Tour, Coron Tour and Calaguas Camping Tour). Some won’t even believe that I cook for my guests (maybe because its too yum yummy). 😉
3. I want CHANGE (nope, I’m not running for Senator).
I have seen how tour groups/agencies conduct their trips. And most of the times, it breaks my heart to see trashes all around. Some groups don’t even respect the local customs (Google: Batad, What Happened to Your Charm?). And a group doesn’t take good care of the environment they enjoy. Â This doesn’t mean that I don’t like the tour agencies out there as I know there are tour groups that really take care nature.
Some testimonials from past guests in my Palawan tours 🙂 Thanks Ma’am Cherie and Mary Grace!
Organizing my own tour makes me more confident that nature is taken cared of and locals respected. I would assure everyone that my tours use the least plastic possible, give the locals proper renumeration of their hard work and let the participants see beyond the usual tour.
4. I can’t rent a surfboard using “thank you” comments on my blog. 😉
The small amount I get from organizing tours I use to continue this awesome life of freelancing, traveling and surfing. You see, I also need to pay the bills and think of my future. I guess there is nothing wrong with getting paid in doing what you like most right?
Please let me continue enjoying the waves (Photo credits: Tiara Mejos)
Plus, even a looong “thank you for the help and informative travel guide” on my blog comments section can’y help me buy a bottle of beer pay the rental of a longboard when I’m surfing.
5. Travelers Will Change the World.
I always believe that “travelers will change the world.” A big portion of the earnings I get from this trips are used to support local communities. This might be a small start but I always believe that “small acts of kindness give a BIG encouragement to those who need them the most.” I would continue doing acts of kindness to the local communities, I want to change the world even with these little acts.
I used some tour organizing earnings to buy hammocks from Davao Oriental (hardly hit by Typhoon Pablo) which in turn I sell to my blog readers and friends. Let’s keep the ball rolling, can we?
In closing, I still encourage people to DIY their tours, but if they want to join me, I would gladly welcome them in my tours.
Hope this clears the issue po, @budingdamachi. Again, thanks for bring up the #justsaying statement. 🙂
Btw, if you happen to read this po, I want to invite you to our next Calaguas Tour on May 10-12 for FREE. Yes, all expense-paid on me. Please let me know if you are interested. Thanks again! 😉
If you are interested in joining my Trips, you check my blog’s sidebar:Â Package Tours by JourneyingJames
Right James, there’s nothing wrong from getting something out of what you like doing.. This is how business giants start their fortune.. 🙂 pwede ba ako mag throw ng question rin to get a Free all expense paid to Calaguas? haha just kiddin’ 🙂 Best of luck to ur upcoming tours! Hope to join one day…
Ang swerte na man ni @budingdamachi.! 🙂
Hi kuya James! I affirm you for your tour organizing. Seeing our beloved Philippines in a different perpective and apordabol gastos is heart! Sama ako minsan!:)
Isn’t it ironic not to think before you tweet? #justsaying
😉
For someone who has built a solid reputation in the Philippine travel scene, I can always bank on JJ and support him in his ventures. I’m sure I can trust him more than any travel agency when it comes to travel arrangements and most importantly, COST. Too bad I’m still working outside the country but once I stay there for good (in the very near future) I will entrust all my travels to James. Better to support someone who has genuine passion for travel and adventure at less cost rather than travel agencies who mainly exist only for profit.
wow! thanks for this phil. can i give you a 10% discount on your first booked tour with journeyingjames 🙂
Hi James! Is that right? It’s FREE? I want to join! I’d love to bring friends too. =)
journeyingjames….. great to see someone who really cares for travel and to show the real beauty of this country with great respect to nature and it’s people. we will contact you for a tour after our wedding, can’t wait to meet my idol. ^_^
Kuya James, sana magkaron din po kayo ng tour sa vigan with pagudpod 🙂
at sana meron din for leyte and/or samar heheh! kelan kya? hopeful 🙂
Tama! I agree, James. You have done the epic journey and I guess that’s all enough to show the world that travelling is ain’t no more expensive. And I follow that footstep until now.
Blogging is a hobby but earning money from it is (I think) a reward. This hobby needs a lot of effort, time, internet connection (meaning extra expense), perseverance to continue and a lot of experiences so you can write a post. I believe, promoting tours on your site is definitely a ‘level up’ on your part. There’s no blogger who doesn’t want to level up. This only shows that JourneyingJames is growing and getting better and bigger.
very well said michael 🙂
Hi James, may I come with you? Heehee. 🙂
why not? tara!
hello james, did budingdamachi accept your free offer? 😉
not yet 🙂
I really hope she accepts your invitation :)) Traveling changes a person. It gives us new perspective in life, new eyes to see and appreciate more the world we live in and also helps us to see the best in people and appreciate the things they do for us and others. Continue to inspire and good luck to your future adventures! And super thanks to your FREE <3 travel tips!:)
Points well taken…good intentions James – tour and social responsibility (the shoes, etc.)…what you’re doing is a “pioneering” initiative in this sector. Good job and good luck.
thanks sir henry!