Casting the net on seafarer traffic

In the Philippines, the marine market has grown steadily to create a niche of its own, thanks to the growing demand for Filipino seafarers who have proven their skills, resiliency and loyalty that made them so in-demand globally. The Philippines is considered to be the world’s largest source seafarers and it has been estimated that there are 200,000 Filipino seafarers deployed on international vessels all over the world.

Philscan Travel, a marine market specialist since it opened 20 years ago, has been catering to this steady and growing market with more than 20 major European manning companies as clients.

Sylvia Sangco, Philscan Travel president-CEO, said the booming marine field knows no seasonality unlike corporate and leisure markets. Philscan caters to 70 percent marine, 20 percent corporate and 10 percent leisure markets.

A consistent top-ten producer of leading European airlines, Philscan is also the Philippine representative of the Netherlands-based BCD travel.

Even if it is low-yield, Sangco said, the marine market’s turnover is fast and stable as it thrives on volume. Corporates yield better on a per transaction basis and the leisure segment tends to fluctuate.

While most agencies on the same turf basically offer the same rates, professional service is the big differentiator, and that’s one of the best ways to keep Sangco’s clients happy.

The seafarers’ market is very global and each manning company poses certain peculiarities and demand particular requirements that must be met satisfactorily by its handlers. “The marine market needs to be handled cautiously by a travel company that expertly caters to that particular sector. We take care of our manning company clients by way of specialized service and quick response,” said Sangco.