Phl eyes more European tourists

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines hopes to attract more European tourists to visit the country after the European Union (EU) lifted the ban on another Philippine-based airline.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez told reporters the sidelines of the Europe Day 2014 the government expects to increased tourist arrivals from EU following the lifting of the air ban imposed on Cebu Air, Inc. (Cebu Pacific).

“(The) share of the Europeans will increase very significantly.
Hopefully, by mid of the year, we will begin to feel that,” he said.

The EU announced last month that it has officially removed the air ban on Cebu Pacific from its blacklist.

This follows the EU’s decision to allow flag carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc. to fly to London last year.

In March 2010, the 27-member European Commission imposed a ban preventing Philippine carriers from entering the European airspace after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines failed to reform
the country’s civil aviation system as mandated by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

The number of EU tourists that visited the Philippines in 2013 reached over 376,000, up eight percent from the previous year.

The EU was the fifth biggest source of tourists to the Philippines in 2013, accounting for an eight percent share. Recognizing the growth potential in the tourism industry, the EU and the
Philippines forged a tourism cooperation agreement in 2012.

The partnership covers the exchange of information and tourism best practices, collaboration on development of sustainable eco-tourism programs technical assistance, advanced training in the tourism
industry and development of new technologies for the industry.
Jimenez said tourist arrivals in the country is expected to surpass the
target of six million for 2014 “barring unforeseen events.”