Forty-one years ago, Fiesta Tours and Travel (FTT) opened its first office along Adriatico Street in the heart of Manila. Its founder Dolly, then a 24-year-old who graduated with a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, had the option to take her masters or start a business. Instead of traveling to study, she chose to study the business of travel.
Opening a travel agency in the early ‘80s was certainly the road less traveled. The landscape of tourism looked different back then. There were no websites to book tour packages. There were only a handful of flights that connected the Philippine islands and the Philippines to the world. Travel plans had to be made by visiting a travel agency’s office or calling a travel agent through a landline. FTT’s eight employees, with their oversized polos, coiffed hair, and blouses with ruffles, answered phones and welcomed guests in their office on Adriatico Street.
FTT started with leisure trips. Their services evolved with the needs of their clients, branching into planning corporate trips and assisting marine travelers. Call after call, client after client, and year after year, FTT built its network, clientele, and reputation to become one of the leading travel agencies in the country.
Commitment to excellence
These days, planning a trip can be done with a few clicks, but there are still many reasons to have FTT as your travel planner. Doing a DIY travel plan sounds fun until website-hopping and comparing packages consumes too much time. FTT can simplify the process by saving you precious hours of effort, leaving you with headspace to sit back and ask the right questions. They offer personalized recommendations based on your interests, budget, and preferences. (On that note, tell them what your airplane seat preference is too–aisle or window?)
With four decades of experience, FTT is an industry veteran, building strong relationships with airlines, hotels, and other tour operators. It’s been recognized as the Top Producer Award by Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, and Qantas; one of Qatar Airways’ Most Valued Trade Partners; and one of the highest-ranked producers of Gulf Air and Emirates, among others.
FTT is also the Philippine representative of the Marine Travel Alliance and a member of the Philippine Marine Travel Agents Association, giving them institutional knowledge on the needs of a marine voyager. FTT has been a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) since 1984 and renewed its ISO certification with SGS in 2010 to conform to 9001-2008 standards. They are currently certified with the latest standard 9001-2015. Their long list of awards is a testament to their commitment to quality and service.
For their clients, these long-standing relationships means access to exclusive deals, discounts, and packages that may not be available in public websites, giving you best value for money.
Peace of mind
Planning a trip with FTT offers peace of mind. Trips never go as planned, and if we’re lucky, the biggest hiccup we face is a delayed flight. When we’re not so lucky, itineraries unravel with missed connections, canceled flights, and other disruptions. Having FTT is the equivalent of a support system. Send your (frantic) email and FTT will offer options to help you get to your next destination with a different route, including information on possible visa restrictions to appease your stress and frustration.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, FTT rose to the challenges it brought through different means: selling dishes that went viral to remind us to travel the world through food in the meantime (sushi bake, anyone?); posting lists of countries that allowed entry for Filipino travelers; and most importantly, helping clients navigate a world of changing restrictions and guidelines. FTT’s responsive travel agents made sure to arm their clients with travel insurance, check the type of COVID test needed and other entry requirements, and prepare for back-up plans.
Destination: the future
While technology has revolutionized the way we plan and experience travel, FTT offers a personalized human touch that online platforms and artificial intelligence can’t. It has survived and thrived because of their connection with and care for their clients and partners.
Forty-one years later, FTT has grown from eight to 53 employees. Some of their earliest hires are still with them today. One can still make a call through a landline and visit their office, of course. Gone are the oversized polos and ruffles; they now sometimes don bright red shirts. From their office in Adriatico Street, they moved to another one on Alonzo Street, and are now in their third office on the same street, with its own building. FTT has its own online booking tool and forging global partnerships to cater to a bigger audience.
