Trade exec advises carriers to revise 'confusing' promo ads
04/24/2008 | 08:42 AM
MANILA, Philippines- After receiving numerous complaints against "confusing" promotional ads by local airlines, the Department of Trade and Industry has advised carriers to revise and clarify their marketing tools.
Trade undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the airline ads which offer "P1" or "P999" fares confuse consumers. She said carriers should instead promote how much travelers can save with their offerings.
"Sabihin na lang kung ano ang babayaran mo at sabihin ang discounted para di ka magbabayad so much (They should just tell passengers how much needs to be paid, and how much can be saved)," Maglaya said in an interview on dzXL radio.
At present, she said many airlines tend to mislead potential customers by offering P1 or P99 rates, without informing them about "hidden" costs like insurance and airport terminal fees.
She said she will discuss the matter further with the Civil Aeronautics Board, which she said approves airlines' promotional ads.
"Ang dami ng tarpaulin at billboards may nagsasabi P999 pero may plus-plus. Kaya sabi namin sa CAB, sila nag-a-approve ng promo, huwag disclosure na alanganin. Di alam ng tao ang laki ng babayaran nila (We see so many tarpaulins and billboards offering P999 fares but hiding the plus-plus. I'll have a talk with the CAB because people are not aware of the hidden charges)," she said.
Meanwhile, Maglaya issued a similar advice to owners of hotels and restaurants making similarly confusing ads, saying they should disclose the full costs of the offers.
She said restaurants in particular should display prices that already include the 12-percent value-added tax (EVAT), instead of "lower" prices that are not VAT inclusive.
Maglaya advised potential passengers and customers to call the DTI hotline at 7513330 if they encounter problems with such ads. - GMANews.TV
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