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A local tour guide and car rental operator based in
Vigan may not have the knowledge or the resources to promote their
services to a potential tourist from the other side of the
continent. But soon, even those tasty empanadas created by the
town’s manangs can be a byword in the ever-growing global village
concept created by Internet technology.
For those who are interested to
climb the High Peak in Palauig, Zambales—considered the highest
point in Central Luzon at 2,030 meters—can now start with “a
click of a mouse” by visiting www.HopAround.net, a web portal
offering Internet visibility to micro-entrepreneurs in the country,
along with the capacity to provide tourism services to local and
foreign travelers.
“Entrepreneurs engaged in the
tourism industry from all over the country will soon be given a
‘voice’ and a ‘face’ in the worldwide web for all travelers
to see with the launch of HopAround,” Philip Camara, president of
HopAround.net said.
Micro entrepreneurs in Palauig
and nearby Iba who provide 4x4 vehicles, packed meals, camping gear,
personal guides, and more, can now make their services visible in
the Internet by registering at HopAround.net.
“HopAround’s basic advocacy
is ‘Local Economy for Local People.’ The web portal will create
new business opportunities for micro-entrepreneurs, referred to as
Micro Tourism Service Providers [MTSP], who can provide transport,
lodging, meals, guides, gear, packaged tours among others, for
tourists,” Philip said.
Because the MTSPs are from the
area, they have extensive knowledge of their particular locations
and therefore know the most scenic destinations, the most
interesting local culture sites, the best out-of-the-way local fare
eateries, the most knowledgeable personal guides, the cleanest and
most comfortable lodgings, and at the most competitive rates
available, offering the tourist a totally different experience from
the usual tour and travel packages in the market.
The HopAround website presents
popular spots around the Philippines which tourists can review while
mapping out their travel plans. Each destination will be linked with
registered MTSPs from the chosen locality, each MTSP allocated with
an online information box where the MTSPs contact details are posted
and a chat window for inquiries provided. The tourist may access the
listing of MTSPs and the contact details by clicking on the desired
point of interest or location, thereby allowing direct interaction
between the MTSP and the tourist or allowing the tourist to post an
inquiry in the MTSP’s chat window.
“The more service providers
there are enlisted to cater to this growing number of tourists, the
better the local tourism industry will be. And since tourism impacts
the economy greatly, both people and country will benefit,” he
added.
HopAround.net is powered by
RemitCard Incorporated. For inquiries, call 899-5544, 897-3571; or
telefax 899-5542. E-mail info@remitcard.com
or visit: Unit 206, Raman Condominium, 130 Chino Roces Avenue,
Makati City.
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