International Travel Cheaper than Local Philippine Travel

[MikeLigalig.com]

By Ma. Elisa P. Osorio
Philippine Star

Very cheap airfares to international destinations are cutting into domestic tourism which may result in lower tourism revenues for the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday.

“Low priced international airfares are encouraging people to travel out of the country,” Tourism Director for Development Planning Rolando Canizal said yesterday.


“A big chunk of tourists are locals. In fact a study showed that young Filipinos travel four times a year,” Canizal said, adding that here was a good domestic travel movement.”

“It (low priced plane ticket for international destinations) makes traveling outside the country more expensive than touring the Philippines,” Canizal said. Filipinos make up 80 percent of the local tourism market.

The statement was made following the seat sale by flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) late last month during which the Lucio Tan led firm sold international plane seats for as low as $8.

The seat sale likewise angered travel agents who said they were not informed of the seat sale before hand. - Philippine Star