After frontloading some costs to develop and enhance its GCash payments systems this year, Ernest Cu, the President and CEO of Globe, is closing off 2023 with several payment partnerships that might see the Ayala-led telecom improve its financial performance in the following year.
IMAGE CREDIT: Ivan Maynard Lim (https://www.gogoro.com/news)
With the opening of the Gogoro Experience Center on the second floor of Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, the telco launched its first round of partnerships with Taiwan-based Gogoro Smartscooters, a pioneer in e-mobility. This will enable potential customers to view and test the Gogoro Smartscooters and battery-swapping technology before their official launch next month.
Leading the formal opening of the experience center were Ernest Cu and Horace Luke, the founder and CEO of Gogoro, Bernie Llamzon, the president of Gogoro Philippines, and Cezar Consing, the president and CEO of Ayala Corp.
During the event, other top executives of Ayala expressed strong support for the joint venture between Globe’s 917Ventures, Ayala Corp., Gogoro Taiwan, and Gogoro Philippines.
The event also highlighted the Ayala Group’s transition into sustainable and renewable energy solutions.
On hand to witness the occasion were Ayala scions Jaime Alfonso Zobel de Ayala and Marianna Zobel, Ayala Corp. Chief Financial Officer Albert de Larrazabal, Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo, Rizza Maniego-Eala, Globe SVP for International Business Group, and Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.
Ernest and Horace, appearing stylish in their white shoes, made an interesting contrast to Cezar Consing, Jaime Alfonso, and Albert de Larazzabal, who were dressed more conservatively in a loose coat, shirt, and slacks without a tie, and Froi Castelo, who was wearing a barong shirt jack in the Marcos style.
PAL, GCash announces new partnership
In a related development, PAL and GCash also announced their newly formed partnership.
Hoping to create history, the two organizations entered into a joint venture agreement early last week to help promote and facilitate the travel industry’s renaissance by providing GCash users with an exclusive seat sale.
The seat sale offers GCash users savings of up to 20% on both domestic and international travel specific to Asian destinations.
The partnership also launches well before the holidays when friends, family, and businesses are searching for the greatest offers for their travel and vacation itineraries.
Pent-up demand for travel, economic growth, and the relaxation of travel regulations have all contributed to the travel industry’s recent success. For its part, Philippine Airlines has increased its business by more than 70% over the previous year, positioning it as a crucial player in the tourism industry’s expansion.
By providing travelers with more alternatives for the greatest deals, seats, and travel destinations that are only available to GCash users, the relationship between PAL and GCash will further improve the performance of the travel industry.
When travelers purchase their tickets with PAL, they can take advantage of discounts and pay with GCash directly. The travel time will extend from the day of booking to the end of 2024, and the deal will run on specific weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) beginning on November 18 and running through January of the following year.