Wednesday, August 14, 2024 The announcement of Cebu Pacific’s new Davao-Tacloban-Davao flight route is anticipated to significantly influence the travel industry, particularly in the Philippines. This development is expected to enhance both tourism and business connections between Eastern Visayas and Mindanao. The route’s opening in October 2024 marks a strategic move that could reshape travel patterns in the region, making it more accessible and appealing to both tourists and investors.
The introduction of this air route is seen as a crucial step in promoting Eastern Visayas, particularly Tacloban, as a prime destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) events. The region’s potential as a MICE hub, which the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Eastern Visayas has been actively developing, could see a significant boost. The availability of direct flights from Davao will likely attract a larger number of MICE participants, who often extend their stays for leisure activities post-conference.
This could lead to increased tourist arrivals, with more visitors exploring the natural and cultural attractions in Tacloban and its neighboring cities like Ormoc and Baybay. From a business perspective, the new Davao-Tacloban-Davao flights are likely to facilitate smoother and more frequent interactions between the business communities of Mindanao and Eastern Visayas. According to the Association of Leyte Tour Operators (ALTO), this route opens up opportunitie.