Cebu Pacific flies to Catarman, Calbayog, Virac, and Cauayan
Monday, January 19, 2009
| Offers P500 all-in seat sale and Manila-Osaka Zero promo fare Cebu Pacific (CEB) is set to take delivery of its seventh brand-new ATR 72-500 aircraft which it will use to fly to Catarman and Calbayog in Samar, Virac in Catanduanes, and Cauayan, Isabela starting next month. CEB will also mount additional flights for Manila-Naga from daily to 10 times weekly starting on February 14 and Manila-Busuanga from daily to 11 times weekly starting on February 15. The new service to Catarman, Samar and Virac, Catanduanes will start on February 14; flights to Calbayog, Samar and Cauayan, Isabela will start on February 18. Candice Iyog, CEB VP for marketing and distribution, said “We are expanding our Manila hub operations with the arrival of our brand new ATR and will make more areas accessible through our low fares and new planes.” To mark the announcement of these additional services, CEB is offering a promotional P500 all-in ‘Go Lite’ seat sale for flights from Manila to Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Cauayan, Naga and Virac. The airline has also included select Cebu hub flights to Cotabato, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Legaspi, Ozamiz, Siargao and Tacloban in the promotion. CEB also announced a zero fare seat sale for its Manila-Osaka service. This is exclusive of applicable surcharges and government taxes. The seat sale will run from January 9 to 14, 2009 and is good for travel from February 1, or the start date of respective flights, to March 31, 2009. CEB will fly Manila-Catarman and Manila-Virac every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday; Manila-Calbayog and Manila-Cauayan on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. For flight schedules and bookings, passengers may log on to http://www.cebupacificair.com/ , call the reservations hotline (632) 70-20-888; or visit their nearest travel agent. Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It flies to 15 international cities and 27, soon to be 32 domestic destinations with the addition of Siargao, Catarman, Calbayog, Virac (Catanduanes), and Cauayan (Isabela) in the coming weeks. Labels: Travel News |
Mindanao people, arts, to highlight WOW Philippines (Tourism)
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
| MANILA, Jan. 13 (PNA) -– The Department of Tourism (DoT) opened Tuesday the WOW Philippines month-long tourism activities in Intramuros that will highlight the arts and crafts of southwest Mindanao. The DoT-12 will showcase the region’s cultures, its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music, and festivals. Mindanao weavers, mostly from Maguindanao, Marawi City, Lanao provinces, and Cotabato City, will present – to the tourists’ delight, Habing Mindanao, an indigenous weaves that speak, in its entirety, the diverse cultures of the peoples in the South.
 The Mindanao’s traditional music includes kulintang, agong and gandingan, kudyapi, dabakan, tumpong, and babendil.  Agong and KulintangThrough their presentations in Intramuros, DoT-12 officials said the tourists -- both domestic and foreign, will learn the history, music, dances and craft of the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug and other peoples of southwest Mindanao and of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). . “It’s a month-long journey that explores traditional artistic expressions centered on the arts, crafts, and music and other related fields of peoples in Region 12 and ARMM,” said DoT-12 regional director Sohura Dimaampao. (PNA) DCT/FFC/NYP/MCM/mec (Photos by: Nick Fielding) Labels: Travel News |
CEBU PACIFIC increases domestic frequencies by 17%
Monday, January 12, 2009
| Adds flights to 11 Manila-hub services . Cebu Pacific (CEB), the Philippines’ leading domestic airline, will mount additional frequencies to 11 of its domestic routes despite the weak economic forecast for the country. By March this year, just in time for summer, the airline will increase its frequency from Manila to: *Bacolod, to four times daily; This brings CEB’s weekly domestic flights from 1,074 to 1,252 . Iyog added, “In spite of the economic downturn, we remain optimistic that we will be able to continue stimulating domestic travel because of the value proposition CEB offers to the traveling public.” CEB carried a record breaking 683,204 passengers in December 2008, the highest in the airline’s history. Prior to this, CEB carried the most number of passengers in May 2008 at 630,924.CEB has also positioned itself as a viable transport alternative to buses and ferries. “Aside from additional frequencies, Cebu Pacific will continue to offer its trademark low fares and new aircraft to its passengers,” Iyog added. CEB currently services the most number of domestic routes, among all local carriers. Its additional aircraft will increase its fleet to 21 Airbus and seven ATR-72 500. ( Source: Cebu Pacific Air ) Labels: Travel News |
House urges support for RP's New 7 Wonders bid
Friday, October 17, 2008
MANILA, Oct. 15 (PNA) -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on all Filipinos to support the nomination of four major tourism sites in the Philippines into the Search for the New7Wonders of Nature. This was contained in House Resolution no. 200, principally authored by Rep. Edgar M. Chatto (1st District, Bohol), where he urged all government agencies, local government units, public and private schools, tourists, private sector groups, overseas Filipino communities, and other sectors of society to launch vigorous campaign programs in support of the Philippines' bid for the inclusion of the four tourist sites. These include the Underground River of Puerto Princesa, a world heritage site and was hailed as one of the world's longest underground rivers; Bohol's famous Chocolate Hills, which are considered the crowning glory of the province's numerous tourist attractions; the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, another world heritage site and is considered one of the world's best dive spots because of its teeming marine resources and rich biodiversity; and the Mayon Volcano, the pride of the Bicol Region, which boasts of having a perfect cone shape, and paralleled in beauty and wonder with Mt. Fuji of Japan.  Tubbataha Reef  Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park  Chocolate Hills Chatto, chairman of the House committee on tourism, said he filed Resolution no. 200 "to drum up public awareness of the Search and to inform the public how they can participate and contribute to the quest." He encouraged everyone to vote and be counted. This can be done by visiting the website www.new7wonders.com and registering on-line. The voting for the nominees is on going and will continue through December 31, 2008. "The excitement generated by the web portal has proven tremendous. Right now, our entries are doing great, with the Underground River currently in 1st place, the Chocolate Hills in 4th, Tubbataha Reef in 5th, and Mayon Volcano in 10th place," Chatto said.  Entrance going to the Underground River   Inside the Underground River "We have to sustain this trend and even intensify our efforts. The crucial factor in clinching the votes would be to use all avenues available to communicate this to our people," he added. Thanks to Macapinlac, Yvette Lee and nomad4ever for the pictures. Labels: Travel News |
Negros Oriental town becoming popular as "cave capital" of the Philippines
Thursday, October 16, 2008
| DUMAGUETE CITY (PNA) -– The municipality of Mabinay in central Negros Oriental is fast becoming the cave capital of the Philippines being the only municipality with more than 400 caves. One of these is the Odlongan cave, the second longest cave in the country. Mabinay Vice-Mayor Ernesto Uy disclosed that of the total number of caves in his town, less than 50 have been explored and developed.  In support of a program to develop the caves, the vice-mayor said resolutions were approved for continuous exploration and development of these caves with more funding requirement for the acquisition of equipment, among others.
Inside the Odlongan cave is a spring where one can reach to the other end by swimming. Just recently, the cave was found to have a 70-meter high waterfalls, called the Bugsok Falls, where a hot spring is located within the area. According to the vice-mayor, the municipality is recommending the Bugsok Falls to Gov. Emilio Macias II and 2nd Dist. Rep. George P. Arnaiz for funding to boost tourism in Mabinay town.
Labels: Travel News |
DOT endorses P430-M Palawan investments
Sunday, October 12, 2008
| MANILA (PNA) - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has endorsed new investments worth P430 million to the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA). The said projects include new resort villas from stakeholders Vauban Holdings, Inc., Salamanca Holdings, Inc., Almonavides Holdings, Inc. and Sugihara Holdings, Inc. The investors are endorsed to PEZA for registration as locators under Presidential Proclamation No. 1179, at Pamalican Island Tourism Economic Zone (PITEZ), at Barangay Manamok, Cuyo, Palawan.  On top of the P9.1 billion endorsed investments for the first half of the year, the added projects were hailed by Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano.  "The ongoing crisis is a welcome opportunity for us as foreign investors are looking for more cost-efficient investments," Durano said. The strategic location of the Philippines, coupled with exotic attractions, that can't be found anywhere else in the world are also major reasons why multinationals view the country as a viable investment destination, added Durano.  On the other hand, DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. also pointed out the country's special advantage which is its people. "Aside from naturally exuding friendliness and charm, Filipinos' technology-driven and English-speaking capabilities make them a valuable tourism resource," Jarque said. Pursuant to the master plan of the main developer, Seven Seas Resort and Leisure, the locators will individually construct triple A Class Resort Villas consisting of four rooms, a living pavilion, service building, and swimming pool, to provide accommodations and facilities in the tourism economic zone, cited Jarque. Pamalican, site of the high-end Amanpulo Resort, belongs to the Cuyo group of islands in Sulu Sea, between Palawan and Panay. It sits on top of a seven square-kilometer coral reef, making it a popular diving destination. (PNA) DCT/LBV Special thanks to Onyib and zoe_girl18 for the great pictures. Labels: Travel News |
Cebu Pacific starts Manila-Busuanga service today
Friday, October 10, 2008
Year-round Go Lite fare starts at P788 all-in Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s single largest domestic airline starts its direct Manila-Busuanga (Palawan) daily service today. Using its brand new ATR 72-500 aircraft, the service departs from Manila at 09:05am and arrives in Busuanga at 10:05am. The return flight leaves Busuanga at 10:25am and lands in Manila at 11:25am.  Busuanga Island “Busuanga is the gateway to the wonderful islands of Coron and Calauit in the northernmost part of Palawan. With our trademark year-round low fares, passengers can now spend less on air travel and more on the activities offered by these world wonders,” Candice Iyog, CEB spokesperson said.
 Banol BeachThe lowest all-inclusive Go lite fare for the Manila-Busuanga service starts from P788. Passengers will just add P200 if they bags to check-in. Busuanga is CEB’s second destination in the province of Palawan. CEB is acquiring up to 18 ATR72-500 aircraft manufactured by Avions de Transport Regional (ATR), based in Toulouse, France. CEB has already taken delivery of three ATR aircraft this year and expects the arrival of another three in the last quarter of 2008. ATR is the world leader in the 50 to 74-seat turboprop market. Iyog added, “The delivery of more aircraft will allow us to further expand our domestic network. We will continue to look for new markets to serve because we are committed to making air travel affordable for every Juan.” Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It will fly to 27 domestic destinations with the addition of Ozamiz, and Surigao next month and 15 international destinations with the addition of Osaka, Japan on November 20, 2008.  Top View of Lake Kayangan
Twin Lagoon ( Source: http://www.cebupacificair.com/aboutus/press/2008/10062008.html ) Special thanks to onyib and zoe_girl18 for the pictures. Labels: Travel News |
Lake Kayangan
PAL re-launches Cebu-Osaka flights
MANILA (PNA) - Starting October 26, 2008, the flag carrier, Philippine Airlines (PAL) re-launches a direct service between Cebu and Osaka, giving Cebu its third link to economically booming North Asia and boosting Japanese trade and tourism to southern Philippines.  Mactan Shrine “The restoration of the PAL link between these two dynamic cities underscores the importance we place on both Osaka as a major source market of tourists and investors, and on Cebu as a destination of choice for the Japanese,” said PAL president Jaime J. Bautista.
 Magellan's cross But the service was halted in October 2001, when Japanese government travel advisories issued in the wake of the September 11 tragedy in the United States discouraged Japanese from traveling and weakened the market. Labels: Travel News |
Cebu Pacific set to publish monthly On-Time Performance online
Thursday, October 9, 2008
| MANILA (PNA) - Starting this month, Cebu Pacific (CEB), the country’s leading domestic airline, will publish its monthly On-Time Performance (OTP) in its website, cebupacificair.com. Candice Iyog, CEB vice president for marketing and distribution, said, “We are committed to doing our best in making each flight depart on-time. By uploading our OTP online, we will always be reminded to perform according to world standards.” Based on international practices, a flight departing within 15 minutes from its original estimated time of departure is considered on-time. CEB continues to perform at world class level with an 84.8 percent OTP for its system-wide operations for September 2008. "This includes flights originating from all domestic and international airports that CEB currently serves," Iyog said. The airline’s combined OTP for domestic and international operations has significantly improved after its transfer to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. “We hope that CEB set a precedent among Philippine carriers in publishing monthly OTPs that will prompt carriers to deliver on-time service,” Iyog added. Now in its 13th year, CEB has the youngest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. It will fly to 27 domestic destinations with the addition of Ozamiz and Surigao next month and 15 international destinations with the addition of Osaka, Japan on Nov. 20, 2008. ( PNA ) vcs/LBV ( Source: Lynda B. Valencia ) Labels: Travel News |
DOT eyes more tourists from France and Russia
Monday, October 6, 2008
To negate the possible adverse impact of the global economic crisis on the local tourism industry, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is mounting an aggressive marketing campaign to lure more big spending tourists from France and Russia.
 Eiffel Tower, Paris The major travel trade fairs scheduled before yearend are the Travel Trade Gazette Incontri in Italy; the Dive Show 2008 in Birmingham, England; and the World Travel Market 2008 at Excel Docklands in London.
 Notre-Dame de Chartres
The DOT is also preparing a Bird Watching Guidebook that will be offered in Europe.
Lake Baikal, Russia
( Source: http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=20081006176&type=2 ) Labels: Travel News |
