Philippines eyes tourism boost after EU ruling
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The Philippines is aiming for a major tourism boost, after its national carrier was permitted to relaunch flights to Europe.
The country’s president, Benigno S. Aquino III, said on Thursday that he is targeting 6.8 million international tourist arrivals next year, following the lifting of a ban on Philippine Airlines (PAL). This marks a 24% increase compared to the country’s target of 5.5m arrivals this year and a 58% hike from the 4.3m international visitors it welcomed in 2012.
“We are always looking to improve on our performance,” Aquino was quoted saying by China’s Xinhua news agency during a speech in Manila, adding that he wanted to put “a little bit more pressure” on Philippine tourism secretary, Ramon Jimenez Jr.
Jimenez Jr is already under scrutiny however; having fallen short of his 4.6m visitor target in 2012, the minister faces an uphill battle to achieve the ambitious goal of welcoming 10m international arrivals by 2016.
He will be helped however, by the progress of the country’s airlines. Having ended its three-year stint on the EU’s aviation blacklist, PAL said last week that it now plans to resume flights to Europe. Destinations under consideration include London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Madrid. Already this year PAL has added three new destinations in Australia – Brisbane, Darwin and Perth – and is planning to resume flights to the Middle East in October.
PAL’s rival, Cebu Pacific Airways, recently took delivery of its first Airbus A330-300 aircraft and is also launching services to the Middle East. Dubai flights will commence in October, and the airline is reported to have requested permission to fly to Doha.
“We… expect a significant increase from these markets, to include those from adjacent countries, once the PAL flights are made available,” Jimenez said, in regard to the relaunch of European flights.
Pic caption: Manila’s attractions, such as the Malate Church, may be busier in the coming years
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