WHO WE ARE

INTAS is an award-winning destination management company with considerable expertise on the Philippines, Asia’s last undiscovered gem. We offer relevant, immersive, custom-designed services for travel, tours, events, meetings and conferences.

Formerly known as Intas Travel and Tours, the company was established by Teresita Henderson in 1981 and has evolved from a family-run business into a multi-disciplined professional travel organization led by Sonia Lazo with her creative and inspired team.

THE INTAS EXPERIENCE

We built our business knowing the sun, seas and sands of our 7,000+ islands. We deliver exceptional service by partnering with industry stalwarts, the best local guides and the most accomplished providers.

Discerning travelers, overseas tour operators and MICE organizers see us as their trusted partner in providing professional ground handling services with local flavor.

Top travel companies in Europe, Australia and Asia work closely with us primarily focusing on:

TOUR PROGRAMS FOR TOUR WHOLESALERS
LARGE AND SMALL INCENTIVE MOVEMENTS
SPECIAL INTEREST TOURS
MEETINGS AND CONFERENCE ORGANIZATION
GROUP ACTIVITIES

In performing these services, our team stands on the values of excellence, trustworthiness, teamwork, innovation and green-consciousness.

OUR TEAM

TERESITA HENDERSON
Chairperson

The driving force of the company is Teresita Henderson who founded INTAS in 1981. Her industry knowledge, backed by years of experience in Philippine Airlines and Philippine Village Hotel, gave her the skills in setting up and managing the company.

SONIA LAZO
Managing Director

Sonia Lazo’s leadership of the company has led to its unprecedented growth in recent years. Her hands-on approach in curating tour programs, conferences and trips has placed the company in the forefront of travel in the Philippines.

BRYAN OCAMPO
Chief of Operations

With his kooky sense of humor, energy and sense of purpose, Bryan looks for best ways to make trips with INTAS safe, fun and exciting.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Fiesta season!

#RecentTravels Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

#TravelTip Smile and put the word “pô” at the end of each sentence when you speak in English. It goes a long way when traveling around the country.

JOANNA ALTOMONTE-ABRERA
Director of Communications

Joanna manages INTAS events and conferences. She also writes and designs team building programs and guides for the company’s top-level guests. When she isn’t passionately researching and learning about what makes people tick, she travels.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Bukidnon.

#RecentTravels Tuscany.

#TravelTip Patience and resilience in the face of delay or uncertainty.

Jon Zuluaga
Business Development Director

Former Spain-based Jon provides business development support for the fast- growing Spanish market. He provides INTAS with valuable insight with his outsider’s perspective— having lived more than a decade in Europe.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: The best places in the country take time and patience to reach. Take the time, keep an open mind, and once you get there, it will be more than worth it.

#RecentTravels Rome.

#TravelTip Travel with cash. The most interesting spending will be done on cash basis.

Michi Server
Creative Director

Michi ensures that our brand values are shown in our marketing, tour product design and execution of services. Having worked in luxury hospitality for over 15 years, she is a specialist in designing unparalleled voyages.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Small town bakeries called panaderyas serving piping hot pandesal (local bread) at the crack of dawn.

#RecentTravels South of France.

#TravelTip Haggle, haggle, haggle.

ABIGAIL DELA CRUZ
Head of Special Projects & MICE

Abigail oversees the preparation and implementation of convention, incentive and seminar programs. Her expertise in event management is valuable to our corporate clients, government agencies and incentive houses.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Malcapuya Island in Coron.

#RecentTravels Bangkok.

#TravelTip Be ready to feed your mind and soul (and tummy too)!

KEISHIEN BELBER
Operations Manager

Keishien runs the Operations team and ensures all services of guests are met—from the moment they arrive until the time they leave. She’s at her happiest when our visitors are more than satisfied.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: The Philippine sunset, which exudes a different kind of beauty in different provinces of the country.

#RecentTravels Coron, Camiguin, Siargao, Singapore and Malaysia.

#TravelTips Beer is cheap. You must ask for a knife. Spoons and forks are standard. Filipinos are meat lovers, and few are vegetarians. Our Pinoy-style spaghetti is sweet!

GINMEL CADAYONG
Inbound Travel Manager

Ginmel leads the Inbound Travel team in arranging programs for our clients while collaborating with partner hotels, ground handlers and local guides.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Its 7000+ islands, all waiting to be explored!

#RecentTravels Dubai.

#TravelTip Always carry with you the spirit of wonder and a sense of adventure. Don’t be afraid of trying, eating and doing anything local.

Donita Custodio
Tour Specialist | Leisure Market

Donita is our meticulous environmental warrior and UK market specialist. She is part of the Inbound Travel Team, works long hours and ensures arrangements are seamless and go beyond client expectations. Apart from being a champion for mother nature, she also likes to write.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Our people!

#RecentTravels Negros Occidental.

#TravelTip Ask if you need anything! No one will refuse to help. Always bring an umbrella for the blinding sun or piercing rain.

Nikki Takano
Tour Leader

An ambassador for all things Filipino, tour guide Nikki is a passionate traveller. Her best-loved Philippine destination? The Cordillera region, a vast area so unique, diverse and beautiful, and historically important as well.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Our people, one of the happiest on Earth.

#RecentTravels Caramoan, Mount Mayon, Camiguin, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

#TravelTip Filipinos love attention and most can speak English so talk to us, eat with us, drink with us, dance with us, sing with us and take selfies with us.

Rupert Andres
Tour Leader

Rupert started his career in INTAS as airport coordinator and has began leading trips as tour leader. His favorite Philippine destination is Cebu.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: The big, red happy bee. Our homegrown fast-food chain Jollibee known for its chicken joy and jolly spaghetti.

#RecentTravels Taipei.

#TravelTip The Philippines is a tropical country so make sure you pack accordingly.

Donna Gunn
Tour Leader

Aside from working as a tourism front liner, Donna can become a photographer/buddy/ entertainer/ concierge/ conflict manager all in one trip.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Western Palawan, where else?

#RecentTravels Port Barton, Palawan.

#TravelTip Travel with three things—an open mind, a grateful heart and an adventurous spirit.

Rey Ballesca
Tour Leader

Mountaineer, ecotour manager and tour leader Rey loves meeting people and showing them around his beloved country.

#BestKeptSecret of the Philippines: Our lesser known islands.

#RecentTravel Cambodia.

#TravelTip Respect everything local: nature, culture, people, food.

OUR AFFILIATES