DOT expects more Japanese tourists this year

The Philippines expects more Japanese tourists to visit the Philippines as the country’s top airline companies increase their flight frequencies to and from Japan, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

This year, the DOT expects Japanese arrivals to reach 400,000 even as the Japanese outbound market is decreasing due to economic shocks and high fuel and airplane fares.

In 2007, the Japanese outbound market shrank to 17.29 million from a high of 17.5 million in 2006.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said “the availability of additional air seats between the Philippines and Japan is a sure boost to the DOT’s campaign of bringing in more guests. This means more tourists can visit the country even during peak seasons.”

Durano issued the statement as low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific announced its inaugural flights to Osaka, Japan in November. It will fly the Manila-Osaka route four times weekly.

The DOT was part of the negotiations for the air rights agreement for the new route.

At present, only four airlines fly the Philippines-Japan route. They are Philippine Airlines (PAL), Northwest Airlines, and Thai Airways and Japan Airlines.

PAL, the country’s flag carrier, is planning to increase its Manila-Osaka flights to seven days. It is also preparing to offer Osaka-Cebu flight twice a week.

PAL country manager in Japan Danny Lim said the additional air seats and the aggressive marketing campaigns being implemented by the DOT will help increase arrivals from Japan .

“The tourists will come in once we have the necessary infrastructure and the support services needed. We also need to promote newer destinations to the Japanese market,” Lim added.

Durano said the proximity between the Philippines and Japan serves as an added factor for greater visitor traffic from Japan.

Benito Bengson, head of DOT’s Team Japan, said the new routes will “stimulate the Japanese market” and will provide more opportunities for the Philippine trade and tourism industry.

“The Manila-Osaka route has a great potential to stimulate the Japanese market, which will create more opportunities for Japanese visitors to explore the various destinations in the Philippines,” Bengson said.

At the same time, Bengson pointed out that the new route will allow local travel and tour operators to tap a greater number of potential Japanese clients.

This is especially welcome as the Philippines positions itself as a prime destination for Japanese couples wanting to have their wedding and honeymoon abroad.

The DOT is also promoting the Philippines as a shopping destination for high-spending Japanese guests.

A report from Japanese credit card company JCB estimates that Japanese guests spend $110 daily during their stay in the Philippines. 

The Philippines is also promoting itself as an alternative health, wellness and retirement haven for the aging Japanese market.