Airline company plans to have Iloilo-HK flight
City Mayor Jerry Treñas yesterday said Cebu Pacific is now contemplating of having flights from Iloilo to Hongkong and vice versa. The plan is part of the campaign to boost the tourism industry in the city and island-province of Guimaras.
Treñas did not release the full details of the supposed plan as the airline is still on the verge of making their business plan for future international flights to Iloilo through the Iloilo airport of international standards in Cabatuan-Sta. Barbara area.
The airline company's business plan may include services, market analysis, strategy, management plan and financial plan before venturing into a new market. The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) are among the target market for the proposed Iloilo-Hongkong flight.
Nevertheless, Treñas said the Cebu Pacific would have a direct flight from Iloilo to Davao vice versa. The flight will start in May 2008. The launching of new flights is a product of the efforts of the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau, city government and the provincial government of Guimaras.
Iloilo and Guimaras both belong to the Metro Iloilo Guimaras Economic Development Council (MIGEDC). The council includes Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Leganes and Oton. They are identified as new growth areas.
Treñas said the Davao-Iloilo flight would help in the tourism industry both of Iloilo, Guimaras and neighboring towns. There are people who want to go to the beach and yet they have to pass by Iloilo to shop and eat before coming to Guimaras.
He compared the situation of the Iloilo-Guimaras tourism promotion to the Cebu-Bohol promotion. Cebu serves as a shopping destination for tourists while Bohol as the rest and recreation place.
Recently, United States Counselor for Economic Affairs Larry Memmott said additional flights to Iloilo could boost the tourism industry of both Iloilo and Guimaras provinces.