Cubao terminal vendors struggle despite surge in holiday travel

MANILA — Vendors operating at a busy bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City are grappling with disappointing sales figures despite a noticeable uptick in passenger volume as the holiday travel season intensifies.

While the influx of travelers through the terminal has been evident, food vendors say the increased foot traffic has not yet converted into proportional revenue gains. The discrepancy suggests that higher passenger numbers are not automatically translating into increased spending at terminal retail outlets.

The situation highlights challenges facing small merchants in transport hubs during peak travel periods. Vendors typically anticipate strong sales when passenger volumes rise, but competing factors—including traveler budgets, alternative food options, and shifting consumer behavior—appear to be weighing on sales performance.

As holiday travel demand continues to build across major transportation hubs in Metro Manila and beyond, terminal vendors face pressure to adapt their strategies and offerings to capture spending from the growing passenger base moving through the facilities.