Uno Adventure and Holidays Founder: Her journey in a glimpse

　　The travel industry has been resurrected after dealing with a major blow during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. That is why for travel agency Uno Adventure and Holidays, turning 15 years old in December was a major milestone as not all businesses that took a hiatus during the pandemic were able to successfully comeback. Uno Adventure and Holidays has become a living proof that what doesn't kill you will only make you stronger。

　　Uno Adventure and Holidays President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Rowena took some time during the company's grand 15th anniversary celebration to sit down with select press people for an intimate question-and-answer session. Here are some of her statements that made an impact. 

　　Question: You have just announced B2C (business-to-customer) services in addition to B2B (business-to-business or corporate) travel services you currently offer. What is the story behind this?

　　Rowena: For the past 15 years, we have kept the company low-key, dealing with corporate accounts, business to business. We are excited to take new adventures as we expand our travel deals and services to cater to the B2C (business-to-consumer) market. 

　　It's very ironic because during pre-Covid, my mindset was like, I'll just go straight with B2B because we're having a good revenue when it comes to business. We deal with pharmaceutical companies, with insurance companies, with banks, with car dealerships, etcetera. And then, Covid happened。

　　When the travel agency resumed operations in July 2022, it bounced back stronger. After more than 2 years of hiatus, the tourism and travel industries boomed like crazy in 2022. People obviously saved a lot of money when they worked from home during the height of the pandemic restrictions. There was revenge tourism and that led me to a change in mindset. 

　　Question: What is Uno Adventure and Holidays' advantage throughout its 15-year history?

　　Rowena: As Filipinos travel more than ever these days, Uno Adventure and Holidays is here to offer the best services and deals. We've lasted 15 years because we have always been proving to our clients that traveling through a reliable agency like ours is still the best option there is, if you prefer convenience, security, and practicality。

　　Moreover, we are duly accredited by the IATA (International Air Transport Association)， giving us more flexibility in terms of booking flights to over a hundred destinations globally. We also hold expertise in helping travelers secure their travel visas to almost any nation requiring one. 

　　Question: How did the company survive the pandemic?

　　Rowena: I started with 4 people, one ticketing, one operation, one account, and one reservation. Pre-Covid, we were about 35 employees. And then I had to furlough people. I did not have a choice but to ask them to, I mean if they are willing to wait. I told them, if they're gonna wait, when everything goes back to normal, then I will rehire them. It was easier to terminate, but instead we furloughed. 

　　During the pandemic, I was in Dubai. There was no business, airports were closed. There's no movement around the world. In Dubai, it was my first time to see the whole road was like zero. No cars at all. There were no airlines, everything was for cargoes like delivering medical supplies. I went back from 32 to four people. 

　　When we reopened, I was so happy because the ones I trained, they were still there. Some of our employees were like they shifted to different industries like BPO. They're more into hybrid. They have their own businesses as well. Some of them got their own travel agency. For those who were available during the time when we reopened, I rehired because they were there. 

　　Question: What was the partnership with Globe all about?

　　Rowena: Uno Adventure and Holidays has entered into a partnership with Globe so it could tie up its travel offers with the leading telecom firm's roaming services. The team-up entails irresistible and exclusive perks and incentives for Globe Platinum subscribers who are traveling abroad via Uno Adventure and Holidays. Aside from access to the reliable GoRoam roaming promo, clients can also enjoy the Advance Booking feature via the GlobeOne app, enabling travelers to book data roaming promos up to a year in advance for seamless and secured data roaming services and connectivity in any of the destinations. 

　　To know more and to book travels with Uno Adventure and Holidays, visit its website at https://www.unotours.com