Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines expects travel demand to pick up within the year, saying it recorded a “38-percent increase in forward bookings for the next three months” from last month.
Steve F. Dailisan, the spokesperson of AirAsia Philippines, said the carrier also observed an 18-percent growth in “15 to 30 days booking especially for top summer destinations.”
Boracay leads the carrier’s most booked destinations, recording a 24-percent increase in booking requests. It is followed by Cebu, Panglao, Kalibo, and Tacloban.
“Travel is set to rebound this year and we are in full throttle to maintain the momentum. We are opening local and international routes to cater to the rising demand for travel as more countries relax border protocols. AirAsia Philippines will continue to champion inclusive and safe travelling as we work together with national and local agencies on tourism recovery in the post-pandemic era,” Dailisan said.
He added that the budget carrier “is keen on further propelling the buoyancy of the local travel market with the opening of new domestic routes.”
Next month, AirAsia Philippines will restart its flights to Bali, Bangkok, and Incheon. The month after, the carrier will introduce services from Manila to Dumaguete and Roxas.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has relaxed rules for travel and mobility following the decline in Covid-19 cases in the country.
“Our government’s simplified travel requirements and protocols have greatly influenced inbound travel and domestic tourism. As one of the country’s most trusted air carriers, we are very glad with this progress. The adaptive approach applied in our pandemic response is exactly what our country needs to move forward,” Dailisan said.
Image credits: Business Mirror file photo