CEBU Pacific Air (CEB) has opened more opportunities for Philippine outbound to Australia with its four-times-weekly Manila-Sydney service that began yesterday.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily ahead of the launch, Philippine Travel Agencies Association president, John Paul Cabalza, said that his members were meeting Australian operators to discuss products.
“These should priced be as low as possible, so that (travel consultants) can sell it. If you’re flying low-cost, you should match that with low-cost accommodation, for instance,” he said.
Cabalza expects families to comprise the bulk of budget travellers. “There are also a lot of local companies that have travelled around South-east Asia and might consider Australia for incentives.”
He added that Australia may decide to relax visa requirement for travellers who may not meet prerequisites on their own, but are now travelling in a group and sponsored by the company with set itineraries and pre-determined lengths of stay.
Marianne Malismo-Tismo, CEO, Amkor Travel & Tours, shared that her company is leveraging the service to introduce four-day tour programmes focusing on shopping, theatre and the outdoors.
“Since prices are lower, CEB will definitely earn a share of the market,” said Dino Molina, head of sales and marketing, Rajah Travel Corp, but added the smaller seats would be a concern for tall Australian passengers.
CEB last week also announced a new thrice-weekly Manila-Dammam service launching October 4, a service to Riyadh starting October 1 and a finalised interline agreement with Tigerair Singapore.
Two weeks ago, CEB was also appointed designated official carrier to New Zealand, Myanmar and Canada, and received added seat entitlements from Manila to Singapore, Myanmar, New Zealand and Macau, as well as Cebu to Hong Kong.
