Granja Travel and Tours (GTT) is a start-up travel agency that hopes to provide budget-friendly yet exciting and memorable tours and expeditions. Its services are anchored on 3 important core components in tourism: History, Community, and Sustainability. As an advocate of responsible tourism, GTT believes in the necessity of developing models in the industry that create impactful results for stake
holders in the tourism sector. With the rising threats of climate change and the continuous degradation of the ecology, GTT hopes to connect players and actors of the industry through information sharing and ethical activities in tourism. History: Travel is believed to be more unforgettable if there is an understanding of the tourist of the historical development and evolution of people, places, and events. Traveling to the past offers new perspectives and answers to the different questions faced by our environment. Travelers who are hungry in exploring history are more socially-conscious individuals who render respect and recognition to past events. Community: Community as a key driver of tourism is composed of natives and locals such as members of the family, fisherfolks, villagers, and institutions like the church, businesses, and government units. Familiarizing the community could be best experienced if there is a linkage between the tourist and locals. Immersing with them and witnessing their way of living, customs, and heritage are unique experiences that a traveler must experience. Travel is not limited only to the appreciation of beautiful places, it includes how tourists connect to the lived experiences, identities, and orientations among locals. Sustainability: The disastrous impacts of different events such as natural calamities and the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the displacement of the tourism sector. Likewise, the uncertainty of the future poses serious risks not only to the industry but to the natural environment too. Confronting these challenges requires attention and action to sustain tourism. The need to emphasize sustainable tourism requires collaboration among involved parties and stakeholders. The role of information and knowledge sharing are practical tools in fostering the sustainability of the entire tourism sector. The entrepreneurial model of GTT offers the following distinctive features of its services:
โข A typical travel agency will offer you an itinerary stating the details of the entire tour from the airport to accommodation and tourist destinations. GTT designs tours based on the preference and interests of the tourist. It offers tours to travelers such as vegetarians, budgetarians, history, and nature lovers.
โข Most copies of the itinerary provided to tourists contain details of the tours only. GTT provides an itinerary containing guidelines, reminders, and information on the Dos and Donโts in the community, cultural sensitivity practices to be observed such as in an indigenous cultural community (ICC), ecological conservation activities, and local government ordinances concerning travel and tourists exploring their community. Information presented in the itinerary is collections of various sources from LGUs (depending on the place), Greenpeace, World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), Climate Change Commission, National Commission for Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Tourism, UN World Tourism Organization, UN Sustainable Development Goals, and other NGOs.
โข We have partnerships with some LGUs and grassroots organizations in tourism by providing them training and other opportunities to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism.
โข GTT has high compliance and proficiency on RA 9003 (Solid Waste Management), RA 9593 (National Policy for Tourism), Goals 8,12, and 14 (Sustainable Development Goals), and EO 111 (Ecotourism),
โข Tourists are encouraged to take part in a post-service evaluation (survey) to determine their level of awareness of environmental awareness and concern for sustainable tourism. Results are used for policy-making which will then be used as a reference by LGUs and their partners such as the academe and tour operators. SERVICES OFFERED:
โข Tour Guiding
โข Community Immersion Program/Activities
โข Accommodation services
โข Transportation
โข Research and Project Management