Kristine was working in a bar, Stefan was working for an NGO. One day Stefan was thirsty so he decided to go to a bar. He still does not know why he exactly chose that bar where he met Kristine but somehow he felt this special attraction... and this attraction continues to this day. After six months in the Philippines and maybe an estimated truckload of SanMig Light he drunk during this time, he told to Kristine “I will go back to Switzerland and stay there” but he actually felt in his heart that it will come different.
After half a year in his home country he went back to the Philppines. Kristine and Stefan both encountered that their passion for traveling and hosting people could lead to a thriving business. They did not think too much of all the challenges because they believed in the skills of their counterpart and also their love to each other.
So they spontaneously decided to found a travel agency, but they always knew that it takes a lot of effort and work to grow constantly and to keep it run.
When we build up SYKE Travel & Tours in January 2017 we named our company after us: S🇨🇭🍀 for Stefan (the Y stands for ‘and’ in Spanish) and 🇵🇭KE 🍀 for Kristine. We had the same thought of logo - our Butterfly. It was designed by Stefan 5 years before we met and knew each other. But we felt always so lucky 🍀 when we have seen butterflies flying to us. In that sense SYKE Travel & Tours is made of two hearts ❤️❤️ (which are in combination the shape of a butterfly) and full of love for each other.
Our Business Profile
We serve you with customized travel Packages, Accommodation, Activities, travel Services and Rentals in Bantayan Island and Central Visayas Region but also in any other parts of the Philippines. We are specialized for Island Hopping and Land Tours and welcome you anytime in our Guest houses.
After the starting up the travel agency we also started to rent out homes and guest houses. It was a natural process because we always encountered many inquiries for vacation rentals. Meanwhile we are hosting five guest houses in Bantayan Island and we had the pleasure to welcome guests from more than 25 nations.
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SMAK’s Hotel & Restobar
SMAK’s Hotel & Restobar is a spin-off company by SYKE Travel & Tours. It is a pleasure for us to serve you now with complete full board packages for Bantayan Island including, accommodation, tours, transfer and food.
The Name SMAK’s refers to the Names of us - Stefan, Kristine and our little boss Martin.
We serve you Breakfast, Lunch and Sandwiches, but also cool drinks like Smoothies and Cocktails and of course also cold, chilled Beers.
You are always welcome to meet us in our Restobar at corner C. Batiancila Street / Saagundo Street or you can make your order online on Facebook, Instagram or our Webpage (smaks.travelvisayas.org).
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SMAK’s Hotel
Our Hotel is still under construction but we are excited to welcome you soon in our newly built rooms at Saagundo Street.
Our Philosophy
Nature plays a big role for us personally but also for our business. As a travel agency situated in Bantayan Island we are very concerned about the future-proof of the nature and the beauty of Bantayan Island with all its surrounding Islands.
We also take the sustainable future of the tourism business in Bantayan Island very serious. But in our opinion it always has to be in harmony with our nature, so tourism will stay also in the future a very strong and important part of the economy of our Island.
Historically and to Greek mythology, SYKE was the name of those nymphs who live in trees and are intimately connected with the fate of the nature.
This is what SYKE Travel & Tours is about and we hope to serve you also in the future with memorable stays in Bantayan Island and the Philippines.
Especially we want to thank and dedicate this to all the people who were supporting usduring these years, working hard and becoming a part of our family. We have great team by the names of Nina, Carmela, Whitney, Joy, Grace and Duke - without them we could never survive.
