Direct flights from Manila to Mumbai expected to boost tourism

Published March 9, 2012 12:00pm

With direct flights between Mumbai and Manila starting this summer, Philippine tourism officials are now hoping to promote the country as a prime destination for Indian and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) travelers this year. In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said nearly 40,000 Indian tourists have visited the Philippines from January to November 2011, a 66-percent hike from 2010.

"Further boosting the Philippines' tourism promotion campaign, Jet Airways of India has announced that it will start direct Mumbai-Manila flights in early summer of 2012," the DFA said. On the other hand, it noted Philippine Airlines already has twice weekly flights from Delhi to Manila and back via Bangkok.

Philippine air carrier Cebu Pacific also disclosed recently that it will begin flights to and from India this year.

For now, the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and the Department of Tourism are intensifying their efforts to promote the Philippines as a prime destination for Indian tourists.

Last December, Philippine Ambassador Ronald Allarey “lent his personal support to the second Department of Tourism Sales Mission to India,” the DFA said. - RJMD, GMA News The Philippine Tourism Marketing Office in India had prepared the groundwork for the mission, which was launched on December 7, 2011 at Hotel Le Meridien in New Delhi. The DOT Sales Mission was also in Mumbai from December 8 to 9.

Tags: india, pinoysinindia, departmentofforeignaffairs