MARKET RESEARCH

I. Introduction

In the face of COVID-19, the tourism sector will implement new standard processes and
measures to safeguard the safety of tourists and stakeholders. Also, to assist industry
stakeholders in gaining the information and resources they'll need to recover after the shutdown.
For providers as diverse as airlines, stores, hotels, and restaurants, travel agency. The World
Travel and Tourism Council has created a comprehensive set of guidelines to handle the new
normal. Cleaning, sanitization, protective equipment like masks, screening instruments like
thermal and infrared scanners, and fewer touchpoints and queues will all impact the travel
experience for some time. Our agency deliverables seek to present the Philippines as a viable
tourist destination among locals, as well as educate them on new standard health and safety
regulations in the tourism sector as preventative steps against the COVID19 pandemic. The
agency also aims to raise awareness and promote domestic tourism promotion in the Philippines.
Finally, and most crucially, it aspires to aid the tourist industry in gradually recovering from the
COVID-19 crisis.

A. ECONOMY

The Philippines' economy is expected to grow at 4.7 percent this year, before
accelerating to 5.9 percent in 2022 and 6.0 percent in 2023, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. At
the front lines of the COVID crisis, local governments have played a critical role. Local
government units (LGUs) are currently unable to execute their devolved missions due to a
shortage of resources.

Eastern Visayas' economy dropped by 7.6% in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
affecting the region's economic activities, a significant decline from the previous year's increase.
According to the National Economic Development Authority regional office, the poor
performance of the industry and service sectors has brought down the 2020 Gross Regional
Domestic Product (GRDP) from 5.6 percent positive growth in 2019, a loss of 13.2 percent
points.

According to NEDA Eastern Visayas Regional Director Bonifacio Uy, the services sector was
"dealt with the largest blow" of negative 9.4 percent growth from a high of 8.9 percent growth a
year ago due to business closures, suspension of classes, limited public transportation operations,
and cancellation of sea and air travel: as a result, our tourism business has been severely harmed,
with regional tourist earnings falling by 87.7% to PHP3.1 billion.

Trade, transportation, lodging and food services, communication, financial activities, real estate,
and education all experienced declines, with four of them experiencing double-digit declines.
"This could mean that most of the region's firms and institutions lacked continuity plans and
relied on traditional business models, leaving them caught off guard and severely disrupting their
operations," Uy speculated.

B. FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE

The table below shows the current exchange rate of the known currencies around
the world into Peso.
Currency BUYING - BUYING - BUYING - SELLING -
Notes Draft TT/EB DD/TT/IB
US Dollar (USD) 50.1000 50.1000 50.1000 50.6000

Euro (EU) 54.6900 56.2500 56.4500 57.5200

British Pound (GBP) 63.4700 66.0500 66.2500 67.4200

Swiss Franc (CHF) 52.8300 53.9400 54.1400 55.2900

Japanese Yen (JPY) 0.4274 0.4398 0.4418 0.4503

Australian Dollar 33.9600 35.1100 35.3100 36.1700

(AUD)
Canadian Dollar 37.7300 38.6300 38.8300 39.6800
(CAD)
Danish Kroner (DKK) - 7.2500 7.4500 7.8800

Hong Kong Dollar 6.2000 6.2200 6.4200 6.5000

(HKD)
Singapore Dollar 35.5500 36.3500 36.5500 37.1900
(SGD)
Chinese Yuan (CNY) 7.8100 - - 7.9900

Bahrain Dinar (BHD) 127.5500 - - -

Brunei Dollar (BND) 35.2600 - - -

Indonesia Rupiah 0.0032 - - -

(IDR)
Saudi Arabia Rial 12.8200 - - -
(SAR)
Thai Baht (THB) 1.4010 - - -

C. DEMAND OF THE PRODUCT

This tour package is certainly created based on our target market's demand, experience-wise
and financial-wise. For approximately 2 years, travelers have been confined to their homes and
we assume that the level of excitement to travel is surely high. Now that travel restrictions are
beginning to be lifted, many travelers are resuming their desires to go to the beach, trekk
mountains, eat delicious and authentic food, and explore nature again. In this specific tour
package, we offer an affordable and exclusive Leyte tour perfect for everyone's summer. As part
of of the protocol, to ensure the safety of our travelers, all traveler's will undergo RT-PCR Test
before travelling. This is to make sure that the World Health Organization's (WHO) and
Department of Health's (DOH) procedures and preventive measures are strictly followed.

D. CONSUMER PROFILE

The primary target market of this specific tour package are those families, peers and
organization that seeks to travel with a large companion. With this set of target market, we aim
to adapt the new trend in travel which is the safe bubble travel. Moreover, our potential market
can be any gender between the ages of 18 and 60, as long as they are physically capable of
participating in the tour activities and are in good health condition. This package may suit both
domestic and international travelers and must be a minimum wage employee in either a public
or private organization. The major purpose of this tour package is to introduce the other side of
Eastern Visayas which offers adventure nature tripping, particularly the Province of Leyte.
Another purpose of this package is to boost travel confidence posing an image of safe travel.
And most importantly, this package is created to feed the excitement of travelers to go out from
their home and face the adventure again with nature.

E. DESTINATIONS

• Ormoc City

Located in the Western part of Leyte, Ormoc serves as the transportation hub in the area. As a 1st
class municipality and as an independent component, Ormoc City is not governed by the
regulations being implemented in the province. Despite such independence, it is still a part of the
Congressional District of Leyte.

From the hotel where tourist will stay the tour will start going to EDC GEOTHERMAL VIEW
DECK, in the smokey mountains situated along the boundaries of Ormoc City and the town of
Kanangga, lies the world's largest geothermal powerplant. The 107, 625-hectare geothermal
reservation is biologically diverse the surrounding environment is surprisingly rich in tropical
vegetation. The site's purposely-built view deck has a picturesque view of steams and geysers
sprouting from earth's core.

We also include Sts. Peter & Paul Church, the oldest church in the city way back in 1556, when
the Jesuits first set foot in Ormoc that marks the prelude to centuries of Christian evangelization
in Ormoc. A month after Ormoc became a municipality on Feb. 26, 1834, the Ormoc Catholic
Parish with Saints Peter and Paul as its patron was formally inaugurated. The church had recently
undergone a major renovation in preparation of being converted into a cathedral. The church’s
golden main altar & beautifully painted interior enhance to its overall appeal that draws more
churchgoers and devotees.

The tour will pass to one of the historical attraction the JAPAN PEACE MEMORIAL PARK,
one of the bloodiest encounter of World War II occurred in Ormoc during the Japanese
occupation. With a history written in blood,tears and agony, an impressive memorial marker put
up by the Nagoya and Gifu Prefectures as a token of friendship of Japanese and Filipinos in the
aftermath of World War II. It is situated in one of the city’s picturesque hills overlooking Ormoc
Bay, Carlota Hills in Brgy. Can-adieng. Japanese visitors frequented this area in memory of their
beloved countrymen who fought in World War II. Indeed, this is one of the fascinating
landmarks that highlights Ormoc City and the role it played in history.

The tour also include Lake Danao which is considered as Ormoc City's main natural attraction.
Most rock formations that surrounds the lake are andesitic volcanic rocks. At more or less 700
meters above sea level, Lake Danao lies on an altitude similar to Tagaytay, making the area
cooler than the average Philippine temperature. Lake Danao is a violin shaped lake 3 km long at
an elevation of 2,100 feet (640 m) above sea level. There are floating cottages & boats available
for hire. A viewing deck and a circumferential walk-trail is an added facilities for tourist to
enjoy. In 1973, the lake was renamed after Imelda in honor of former first lady Marcos. It was
declared as Lake Imelda National Park with Barangay Lake Danao organized people's
organization taking care of the lake and tourist arrivals.

Lastly Sal Pineapple Ormoc Pasalubong Center, Young Attitudes, Ormoc’s Best Spend your
leisure time in these places for a taste of Ormoc’s delicious delicacies. Also buy a pasalubong for
your family and friends.

For the reasons stated above, we feel that the destinations included in the package are marketable
to our target customers. If this package is sold, our goal will be accomplished, which is to make
people feel relax and relieve tension caused by the pandemic while also empowering local
tourism.

 BILIRAN

Biliran is an island province situated in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines. It is
located just a few kilometers north of Leyte Island. Naval is the capital city of Biliran. It is one
of the smallest and newest provinces in the country.

With its white sand beaches, turquoise waters teeming with diverse marine life, rushing
waterfalls hidden in dense tropical rainforests and verdant rice terraces set amidst the backdrop
of gently rolling hills – the island province of Biliran seems to have it all. There are a few
lodging places in Naval that offer budget accommodations. However, unlike similarly priced
establishments elsewhere in the country, it seem to be cleaner and better-maintained.
SAMBAWAN ISLAND

It is a marine sanctuary and a popular dive site. It has an extensive wealth of marine life, good
visibility and corals that are in good condition. Turtles, sea snakes and reef sharks are also found
there often. Current is mild and suitable for all range of divers.Viewed from a distance,
Sambawan island with its towering rocks; is a series of interconnecting stony islets. It has two
main islands and the rocky terrain is covered with grass. Along the shore lines, Talisay trees are
being planted.

ULAN ULAN FALLS

The famed waterfalls of Sampao are very picturesque. Ulan-ulan Falls is one of them and
located in the hinterland.Ulan-Ulan Falls is derived from the visayan dialect which means “rain“.
It’s cascading waters form a catch basin with water sufficient for swimming. With its greenery
and cool gushing waters, visitors will surely enjoy taking a bath. There are no cottages along the
sides of the stream and it is not a place to stay for overnight. Peacefully standing about 90 feet
high and owns a shallow catching basin, but truly majestic in its own right.

RECOLETOS FALLS

It is located in the wilderness of Brgy. Sampao in Almeria Municipality which is known as the
land of waterfalls. It is a 5-minute walk up from the more famous Ulan- Ulan falls.The Recoletos
waterfall is approximately 15 meters high. It has a wide pool with deep water that is perfect for
swimming and cliff jumping. The wide and flat stones surrounding the basin of water is perfect
for picnic. The area is surrounded by rich foliage that protect the people from the harsh sun.

THE IYUSAN RICE TERRACES

These are manmade agricultural landform and tourist attraction found in Biliran Island.The
Rice Terraces in the city of Almeria is a smaller version or replica of the great Banaue Rice
Terraces in Mountain Province. It symbolizes the wise use of land resources and the adequacy in
staple food production in the province of Biliran and the whole Region VIII. This man-made feat
is created to utilize land and to help the farmers optimize rice production. The Iyusan Rice
Terraces is nestled on a mountainous terrain where each terrace treads on its natural gradient.

 Southern Leyte
LIMASAWA ISLAND

Limasawa Island is a tiny yet thriving island municipality that offers serenity and adventure like
no other. It is best known as the home to the very first catholic mass in the Philippines and in
Asia back in 1521 when the island was known to the Spaniards as “Le Mazua”. Aside from the
historical significance of Limasawa, it’s rather unknown to the mass of tourists which gives this
town a laid-back chill & tranquil vibe. And for that, it’s easy to say that Limasawa island is one
of Southern Leyte’s best kept secrets, a place with the superb clear waters and beautiful views.

SUN-OK FISH SANCTUARY

Sun-ok Fish Sanctuary is one of the well-maintained and interesting fish haven in Southern
Leyte. One of the best diving destinations in the province where variety of coral formations can
be found from soft to hard corals along the cracks and crevices where schools of different kinds
of fish can be found. Whale sharks can also be sighted especially during the months of
November until May. Fishing and collection of shells are strictly prohibited. Since the fish
sanctuary is just near a rocky hill, visitors tend to do rock climbing before leaving the place.

AGAS – AGAS BRIDGE

The Agas-Agas Bridge zipline, now known as "Zipline Leyte", opened in April 2011. The twin
zipline, one of the longest in the country at 880 meters (2,890 ft), glides diagonally above the
bridge and the riverine below it. A Provincial Pavilion complete with a parking lot and food and
souvenir kiosks has been constructed atop a promontory overlooking the deep ravine of the
nearby gorge. The Agas Agas Bridge also has a spacious parking space, food kiosks and a tourist
pavilion

COMPETITORS OF THE MARKET

• Viaje Holidays is a very promising agency that specializes in creative and customer-focused
travel and related services. It was founded with the goal of providing travel services that would
promote Region Eight and encourage visitors and students from other regions to come see our
historical treasures and outstanding tourist destinations, as well as experience and explore
inbound and outbound destinations.
• Latagaw Tours and Travel caters to leisure and adventure seekers with individual and group
travel options. They also offer pre-arranged tours, custom packages tailored to the needs of the
client, travel consulting, and hotel, tourist transportation, and other relevant service reservations.

• Kalakat Travel and Tours aspires to be the most dependable and well-known travel agency in
the country, with a reputation for providing high-quality and great travel services.

• East Visayan Tour and Events has more than 8 years of experience in the sector. In all of the
services that they give, EVTE has provided the best customer service to their valued customers.