Cebu Pacific Calls on PH Consulate General as PH-China Air Links and Passenger Traffic Recover

From left to right: Mr. Chua, CG Ignacio, Ms. Tao, Consul Herrera, Attaché Reyes and Mr. Bian. (Shanghai PCG photo)

SHANGHAI – High optimism over Chinese inbound tourism into the Philippines permeated discussions as officials of Cebu Pacific Airlines called on the Consulate General in Shanghai on 20 April 2023.

Touching base with Consul General Josel F. Ignacio and his team led by Consul John Francis S. Herrera and Tourism Attaché Ireneo H. Reyes were Head of Sales and Distribution for Greater China Mr. Ryan Chua, Shanghai Representative Office Sales Manager Ms. Kelly Tao, and General Sales Agent Mr. Bruce BIAN. 

Mr. Chua reported on the ongoing recovery of Cebu Pacific’s regular and multiple connections to the Mainland since China re-opened its borders to normal travel in January this year. Chinese passenger numbers are rising, drawn by the Philippines’ multifaceted attractions. “The Philippines has much to offer and is not a single-dimension destination”, he observed. 

Consul General Ignacio welcomed Cebu Pacific’s emphatic return to the Chinese market. “China occupies a crucial spot in Philippine tourism. The increase passenger seats means more inbound tourism and brings us closer to our goals”. 

The two sides exchanged updates on topics crucial to meeting Chinese travel demand, which had been pent up during three years of COVID-19. Cebu Pacific also committed to support the Philippines’ tourism promotion drives in the Yangtze River Delta area. 

The Philippines is a preferred Southeast Asian destination for Chinese travelers. In 2018 and 2019, over 1.2 million and 1.7 million Chinese tourists, respectively, trooped to the Philippines. END

For more information, visit http://shanghaipcg.dfa.gov.ph/.