The City of Puerto Princesa and the municipality of Busuanga, are among the top 5 destinations in the Philippines according to one of the country’s leading airline Cebu Pacific, this is based on their survey from their customers who search where to go places the past month and this Christmas season.
This was announced by Cebu Pacific Air Vice President for Marketing & Customer Experience Candice Iyog, during a year ender stakeholder’s online forum last Dec 9 called “Restarting Philippine Tourism with Cebu Pacific”. Leading the list is Caticlan followed by Siargao, Cebu and on the fourth spot is Puerto Princesa, and Busuanga on the fifth rank.
According to Iyog, it shows demand for travellers especially Filipinos who really miss flying and traveling to different destinations even before holidays. This is different to the list they have during lockdown and quarantine period, wherein Boracay, Siargao and Baguio City are the choice and wish of many to visit around April and May this year.
The online forum also discussed some predictions and possible travel trends and behaviour of tourists once domestic and international travel restart. Department of Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Development Benito Bengzon, Jr discusses the three major attitudes travellers for 2021 must have, being cooperative due to many security protocols needed to acquire before and after the travel, being disciplined in following new normal restrictions, and being patient enough in order to fly in from one place to another. 2021 as forecasted according to Bengzon will have trekking, hiking, motoring and even biking to be the popular activities for tourists.
Bengzon also discussed the three major points that the DOT is working on for tourism industry; first, the lifeline support for entrepreneurs they have started to roll out in different destinations, second, making health safety protocols convenient and affordable to many, and lastly, bringing back the confidence to travel that is badly needed by our economy.
Among the changes we can expect in many airports according to Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison of GMR Megawide Cebu Airport as soon as flights resumes include are the following, no more well-wishers for arriving and departing passengers, expect more self-service counters to avoid physical contacts, and at least 5 hours early before scheduled flights in order to go through all health and safety protocols.
Having a COVID Passport for passengers is also discussed in the said forum, however it is depending on the vaccines and other health checking that is a work in progress for now.
Like other Asian countries the said panel of speakers believe there will be a high demand for travel in the next year, they advised local government units to strongly promote their destinations and show how easy access they have from the arrival in the airport, to the transportations and accommodation that strictly follow new normal protocols such as wearing of face mask, shields and observing social distancing.
Restarting Philippine Tourism as organized by Cebu Pacific, which aims to set the tone for the continuous recovery of the country’s tourism industry. DOT Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in her video message said that we are soon seeing the light at the end of this tunnel.
