Here’s a page about Jeff that’s pretty darn interesting if you, like most folks I know, wouldlike to know with whom you are dealing.And here’s a recent email interview I had with Jeff. Some good infor here, no matter who you plan to fly with:

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1. Name, contact information and web site address as you prefer to see the listing appear.

Jeff Jenks - Owner, TRAVEL IS FUN, 800 736-6814 or 248 546-3361, travelisfun@comcast.net website: http://home.comcast.net/~travelisfun

2. Number of years in the business and a rough idea of how many clients you send to the Philippines yearly.

Began selling travel, primarily from and to Asia, in 1978. Lived and worked in the Philippines from 1962 - 1964 as a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher and have been going back and forth for over 42 years. Married to a Filipina for 35 years. I send about 200 people annually between the U.S. and the Philippines and bring a lot of Filipinas here on their first trip to the U.S.

3. Your thoughts on why a prospect should use an agent, and specifically whey they should chose you.

Use an agent that sells the Philippines, because they get wholesale prices and usually aren’t too greedy with commissions. Pricing is usually lower then Expedia, Orbitz, etc — because those Internet providers sell you the lowest PUBLISHED fare AND POCKET HUGE COMMISSIONS. Wholesale/bulk/consolidator rates are lower. And that’s what agents that sell the Philippines specialize in. YOU NORMALLY GET A LOWER PRICE and better SERVICE An agent can get a combination of price and convenience that meets YOUR needs. They can help you avoid being stranded in connecting cities, and can tell you the differences in prices and carriers. When something goes wrong they often can help you out - something someone in a call center in Bombay won’t be able to do. Why me - I’ve been doing this since 1978, am familiar with most cities in the Philippines and have flown most of the routes and carriers. I’m also not greedy on commission and will give you lots of FREE advice. I sell to clients located all over the U.S.

4. Number One mistake you have seen Philippine travelers make over the years

Picking the wrong Asian carrier and paying too much for the lowest fare - by booking directly with the airline or using someone like Expedia. You may end up with about another half day of lost time in travel using an Asian carrier - with a wait of 8 - 10 hours on the West Coast on the return. If you’re retired the time lag is no problem, but if you’re working it shortens your vacation time either now or in the future.

5. Philippine travel tips

If you can avoid traveling in December or June, July or August and if you can avoid going over the Pacific on Friday, Saturday or Sunday you can save money. Work with an agent that specializes in the Philippines.

6. Where do you see the business headed in 2007 and beyond.

Philippine travel will continue to increase - but it will mainly be Filipinos going, home, Internet pals going to meet Filipinas, and returning Fil-Am couples. Real American tourism doesn’t exist and won’t until airlines, hotels and transfer services are less expensive and more easy to handle. After you get married normally within 12 months your spouse will need to return home, because of loneliness - hopefully you will go too; after a baby is born your wife and you will need to go back to show off the beautiful baby; and finally some time you will want to go back to see more of the country.

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Thank you Jeff, very much appreciate the time and effort you put into making travel happen for folks. If any of you enjoyed reading this, please let me know. If you have other comments, questions or concerns let me know too. We’ll be publishing more interviews like this from folks who actually know about Philippine travel. You can leave a comment, or email me direct at davestarr (at) gmail.com or text me at: 63-0919-231-5625