Dir.- Philippine Tourism; Ryan Uy, VP Sales-PAL (Nikao Media)
Philippine Airlines (PAL) flying high with aggressive expansion plans for their North American market and partnering with WestJet to increase regional connectivity.
PAL will commence their four weekly New York service via Vancouver on their Airbus A340-300 starting March 15, 2015 – coinciding with the national flag carrier’s 74th founding anniversary.
Speaking at the recent inaugural reception in Vancouver, Ryan Uy, PAL’s VP for Marketing and Strategic Sales says, “Our presence here started on September 19, 1996 when a PAL MD-11 from Manila touched down at Vancouver International Airport. That made Vancouver, PAL’s first Canadian gateway.”
“Philippines Airlines is Asia’s first airline. We are very happy with the Canadian market,” says Allan Coo, PAL’s Canadian Country Manager. On March 16, their daily Manila-Vancouver flights will increase to 11 weekly service offering passengers the option to choose afternoon or evening departures.
The growing demand for their Toronto route initiated two years ago, prompted the carrier to add another flight to their existing schedule making it a total of four weekly flights.
Their code-share agreement with WestJet service allows passengers to enjoy more travel flexibility and convenience to onward Canadian cities like Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Montreal. PAL offers over 30 domestic connections from their Manila hub.
Their aggressive expansion plan includes the launching of a new route to Jinjiang in Fujian, China on March 29 and the resumption of their flight to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea on June 12, concurring with the Philippine’s Independence Day.
2015 is Visit Philippines Year. “The Philippines has 7,107 islands and is the World’s third largest English-speaking nation. Filipinos are known for their hospitality”, says Purificacion Suanding-Molintas, Director of Philippine Department of Tourism addressing the travel trade at the reception.
She points out that with the exchange rate of 31 Philippine Peso to one Canadian dollar, Canadians will get more value for their money by vacationing in the Philippines.
Philippines is hosting APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Corporation Summit) this year, the International Gastronomy Congress and also the first Flavors of the Philippines Festival.
The capital, Manila is a fun and fabulous shopping paradise. Visitors can shop for real pearls by the kilogram.
In Palawan, the above and underground attractions await adventure seekers. Cebu, the gourmet capital is famous for its Philippine dried mangoes, and the tasty Lechon Cebu – slow roasted suckling pig over open fire. Bohol fascinates visitors with its unique Chocolate Hills.
Crystal-clear waters, powdery sand, plenty of fun and sun, and water-based activities will keep visitors entertained in Boracay, Asia’s 24/7 resort island. There is even flying fish rides and an academy offering mermaid or mermen lessons for all ages and sizes.
With the favourable exchange rate, increase in direct air connectivity on Philippine Airlines and support from travel trade – Molintas expects a bigger growth in Canadian arrivals to the Philippines this year.
WATCH: Daniel G. Corpuz, former Undersecretary of Philippine Tourism highlighting their tourism development plan for 2014-2015.
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