DOT, Cebu Pacific join Yeosu Expo in Korea

CEBU, Philippines - Recognizing the importance of the Korean market for the growth of Philippine tourism, the Department of Tourism (DOT) together with Cebu Pacific (CEB) gear up to entice more Koreans to visit the country.

DOT and CEB are now participating on the ongoing Yeosu Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea, which will run until August 12, this year.

“As our top source of visitor traffic, the Korean market is of utmost importance to the Philippines' hospitality industry. Koreans accounted for nearly a quarter of the archipelago's tourism arrivals last year and they have been our number one market since 2006,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez.

Latest record showed that 925,000 Koreans visited the Philippines last year, a 25 percent increase from the previous year.

Meanwhile, CEB flew more than 380,000 passengers to and from South Korea, a 51 percent passenger increase compared to the previous year.

“The Yeosu Expo has a marine sustainability theme, which is perfect for the Philippine islands’ inherent wealth in coastal and marine treasures. We are investing in a principal site in the Pacific Ocean Zone to best capture over 80,000 average daily expo visitors,” added Jimenez.

DOT’s Yeosu Expo participation is just one initiative to achieve the targeted two million Korean arrivals by 2016. CEB seat sales as low as 50 percent off, lowest year round air fares as low as KRW99,000 (PHP3,999), and creative tour packages, also play a part in stimulating travel to the country.

“Despite their relative affluence, Koreans appreciate value-for-money fares in their purchase of air tickets. Similarly, the proliferation of Korean operators and establishments is bringing down rates that appeal to even more travelers,” Jimenez said.

On the other hand, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution Candice Iyog said that the airline’s team is excited to work closely with DOT and other government agencies in promoting the Philippines’ world-class dive sites and island destinations.

“The airline will also continue to offer the lowest fares from South Korea direct to Manila and Cebu, so more Koreans can visit and explore the country,” added Iyog.

An airline partner of the Philippine Pavillion, CEB shows its full support to tourism efforts by providing tickets, tour package rates and exposure to expo organizers, talents and travel agents throughout the three-month expo duration. It operates thrice daily flights from the Philippines to Seoul (Incheon) and eight weekly flights to Busan.

Likewise, the airline also highlights various Philippine destinations to Yeosu Expo visitors, such as Busuanga (Coron), Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, San Jose (Apo Reef), Dumaguete (Apo Island) and Puerto Princesa (Tubbataha Reef).

The Philippine exhibits will carry the theme “Islands of Diversity, Seas of Connectivity” to entice tropical holiday seekers, honeymooners and other special interest groups such as divers and beach enthusiasts, which make up a majority of Korean tourists.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

In its 16th year of operations, CEB had flown over 60 million passengers. It provides access to the most extensive network in the Philippines, with 32 domestic and 19 international destinations. The airline also remains a pioneer in the Philippine aviation industry by being the first to offer web check-in, self check-in, e-ticketing and Lite Fares. — (FREEMAN)