Kawil Tours hits goal crowdfunding campaign

After almost a month since launching their crowdfunding campaign with The Spark Project, Kawil Tours successfully hit their target of raising Php300,000 which will be used to acquire their own tourist boat. The target was hit last July 16, 2013, 14 days before the campaign ends.

Kawil Tours reached their fundraising target after almost a month and with 14 days left for the campaign.

Aside from donations which came from individual backers, the funds received huge boosts from 2 organizations and a generous couple. Days earlier, Kawil Tours presented to the Rotary Club of Makati East. Last July 15, 2013, Kawil Tours also met with the President of St. Michael's College of Laguna.

In this photo from L-R: Kawil Tours Co-Founder Jun Tibi, mentor and advocate Xavier Alpasa SJ, St. Michael's College of Laguna President Lourdes Almeda Sese, and Golden Z Club Committee Chairman Lia Bautista.

The generous donation was raised through the Z Club and Golden Z Club of St. Michael's College of Laguna.

With the availability of fund, Kawil Tours will now be able to fully acquire this tourist boat from Culion. This will be designed according to the requirements of Kawil Tours and will also be painted with its Kawil livery.

The Kawil boat (M/Bca Kawil) docked in Culion. 

Since the crowdfunding campaign still has around 2 weeks left (ending on July 30, 2013), any amount raised on top of the target will be used to acquire tour paraphernalia which includes life vests, snorkeling gears (mask & snorkel, fins & booties), and safety gears (life rings, buoys, and ropes). Rewards will also be provided to backers.

Kawil Tours will also be having a Thanksgiving Mass on July 29, 2013, 7pm, at Calungsod Hall, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University. A short program will follow after the mass. All the Spark Project backers, Kawil Tours supporters, and Isla Culion advocates are invited to the activity. (Link to Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/426176284162852/).

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Kawil Tours crowdfunding campaign for a tourist boat

Since its founding last mid-2011, Kawil Tours relied on rented boats to operate trips. Though favorable rates - quite below the standard rates for tourist boats in the area - were always offered by partner boat operators, the lack of its own tourist boat still greatly affected Kawil Tours.

Renting tour boats from Culion boat owners/operators is favorable since these boat owners primarily rely on boat rentals from the more progressive Coron and where competition is very tight. However, Kawil Tours decided to take steps in acquiring its own tourist boat.

As stated by Renlee Cubelo, one of the group's co-founders, having no boat of its own limits Kawil Tours' flexibility in operating its tours and particularly in embarking on exploratory trips to look for new travel destinations in Culion. In terms of tour operating costs, about 30% of it goes to boat rentals.

Last June 2013, Kawil Tours launched its fundraising project with The Spark Project, a local organization that offers online crowdfunding platform for Filipino start-ups seeking ways to fund their projects. Kawil Tours hopes to raise Php300,000 within the 45-day campaign period (ending on July 30, 2013) in order to acquire its own tourist boat. Watch this video for a background of the project:



As of July 11, 2013, the project already raised Php220,100.00 with 20 days left for the campaign. With this,  Kawil Tours is seeking for support from everyone who could contribute to its Spark Project. Every single peso that will be shared will go a long way. More than the boat itself, every trip that Kawil Tours will soon operate using its own boat will serve as a reminder that its mission of re-connecting Isla Culion to the world through tourism is a noble endeavor made evident by all the people that contributed to the project.

Spark Project screenshot.

With your help, Kawil Tours will be able to fully fulfill its objective of bringing more travelers to Isla Culion. More travelers mean more local economic activities for the community which could result to more opportunities for socio-economic development. Guided by the principles of responsible travel, Kawil Tours aims to promote the much needed inclusive growth through tourism.

To contribute to the project, please click this link. The Spark Project's website accepts donations made through credit cards. Bank deposits are also accepted.

Project donors, or backers, will also receive rewards as Kawil Tours' way of expressing its deepest gratitude and appreciation.