Easy credit access lures more Filipinos to travel

CEBU, Philippines — Access to travel these days have become hassle-free owing to the generosity of banks to offer extended credit installments of at least three months or more, said Cebu Travel and Tour Association (CTTA) president Angelita C. Dy.

Dy, who also sits as president of Grand Hope Travel, Inc., said during the opening of the 3rd Grand Travel Bazaar 2019 yesterday at Robinsons Galleria Cebu, that traveling has become one of the expense priorities among Filipinos, especially Cebuanos, thus holding a one-stop-shop travel event has also become a trend.

Yesterday, 9 travel operators in Cebu are offering attractive travel packages taking advantage of the strong appetite of Cebuanos to travel especially in foreign destinations.

The travel fair, which will run until July 7, is an exclusive offering of nine IATA (International Air Transport Association) accredited travel operators namely; Cebu Fortune Travel, Destination Specialist, Global Link Travel, Grand Hope Travel, Leisure travel & tours, Pan Pacific, Royal Prince Travel, Travelways and Uni-Orient, partnership with airlines, and bank institutions.

Dy added that an increasing number of Cebuanos, including families, are booking even to countries that require visa like Japan, and Korea, among others.

Japan’s generosity in giving Filipino tourists multiple visa entry of at least five years has encouraged local travelers to explore Japan again and again.

On the other hand, Cebuanos’ top outbound destinations remain to be Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.

Taiwan government’s decision to temporarily exclude visa requirement for Filipinos to enter the country also strengthened the interest of Cebuanos to visit Taiwan.

Besides, Dy said air fare rates are also becoming more competitive, making overseas travel much more affordable to many.

The event has partnered with six airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines/SilkAir, and Korean Air to provide on the spot booking, in collaboration with financial institution partners like Bank of the Philippine Islands, among others.