AirAsia said it is optimistic that domestic tourism will start to pick up in the coming months with more and more local government units (LGU) accepting antigen and the saliva Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test, which are cheaper alternatives to the nasopharyngeal RT-PCR.
The Province of Bohol was the first LGU to accept saliva RT-PCR test results for those availing the tourism bubble. The LGUs of Negros Occidental and Aklan, meanwhile, expressed interest in using the same method for residents and arriving tourists to Boracay and Bacolod.
The adjustments in health and safety protocols in different provinces and the proposed shift to modified general community quarantine have driven more tourists to look forward to visiting different tourist destinations especially this coming summer, according to the budget carrier.
The earlier pronouncement of the Provincial Government of Cebu allowing entry of local tourists from anywhere in the country with minimal requirements needed is also another positive development.
Aside from a negative RT-PCR test, tourists who will be visiting resorts and hotels in Cebu will only need to present their pre-booked reservations. Those who would like to experience other activities in the province meanwhile need to register in advance at discover.cebu.gov.ph.
And with only a month before the hot dry season kicks off, AirAsia believes it is time for local travelers to “REDyscover” their favorite travel destinations.
To entice more Filipinos to travel, AirAsia released a series of travel video “memes” coined as “dream summer” on its social-media platforms, portraying people who dreamed of going to their favorite destinations to experience the sand and the beach.
AirAsia Spokesperson Steve Dailisan said, “It’s been almost a year since the pandemic started. We know how frustrating the past months have been. We can only guess that with summer just around the corner, most of our kababayans who spent their months on lockdown are now excited to fit their summer ‘Outfit of the Day’ (OOTD).”
“AirAsia is here to make that happen for you. While most of the destinations in the provinces have relaxed their restrictions and requirements, we at AirAsia are coming up with promos that will entice Filipinos to travel and REDyscover the Philippines.”
AirAsia is offering big discounts on tickets and hotels. Travelers may book flights until March 7, 2021 and travel from February 15 to July 31, 2021, and get big discounts, from as low as P98 one-way base fare from Manila, Clark and Cebu to their favorite summer destinations, such as Bohol, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, Cagayan de Oro, Tacloban, Davao, Iloilo, General Santos, Bacolod and Zamboanga.
Image credits: Business Mirror file photo