Wild orchid, Anyone?

CEBU, Philippines - I overheard my peripatetic son complaining that he could no longer bring his family of two little ones on an impulsive trip because they are now going to school. "Gee!" he groaned, "Everybody else is also going on vacation when we are ready to go on vacation!" Of course, airline costs are much higher during high season - meaning, vacation time - and all good seats are invariably sold out months ahead. These are aside from the possibility of taking connecting flights to get to the destination of choice.

As I always point out here, take a direct flight when traveling with children. Making that flight the shortest possible is sensible. Discovering an ideal daytime schedule is better, as children can always nap onboard, in the afternoon flights. Or go straight to bed after an evening arrival.

Wild Orchid Airlines shareholders and key executives David William Fleming, Director for Global Operations, and Managing Director Terry Curtis Argent, with their Marketing & Promotions Director Paul Wyatt, have come up with the clever idea of answering the needs of travelers between Cebu (Central Philippines)and Darwin (North Territory, Australia).

Wild Orchid Airlines will start operations by December 15, 2012 for a weekly direct flight between Darwin and Cebu by chartering a full service (Economy & Business Class) Qantas B-737 jet with a Qantas crew only during peak seasons. Hence, they are in operation only for 20 weeks in a year, over Christmas and New Year, mid-year holidays, Easter and academic semester break.

Darwin is just 3 and a half hours away and this fledgling airline points out: "Darwin's proximity to Asia gives us great opportunities, the reality is that our population base (North Territory) cannot sustain additional, permanent regular weekly air services (to a new destination)…the future of destination travel out of Darwin for Territorians is Wild Orchid Airlines."

 Wild Orchid Airlines is targeting Filipinos, as they have a sizeable Filipino community in Darwin - 60% of them are Cebuanos! They noticed that Filipinos come home in big numbers to attend reunions, fiestas or just to be home for a vacation. They are also looking at offshore workers in mines who have two weeks off after two weeks of work. There are also the golfers, the scuba divers, the fun-loving crowd who love the casino and the nightlife, the nature lovers who want to go trekking or backpacking into the mountains. They are also looking at families, as the Australian dollar is about the same as the American dollar, so their money can go a long way in a Cebu vacation.

For our part, we welcome this new airline, as they will definitely boost our tourism efforts. Cebu being at the center with our bustling seaports and airports, incoming balikbayans can connect to their hometowns in a convenient schedule. Territorians can also do a day tour in Bohol or go to Dumaguete for an overnight stay. They can enjoy our golf courses, our casinos, our world-famous scuba diving sites, or go spelunking in our caves in the south. The possibilities are seemingly endless and will be exciting for the Australian tourists of any age or persuasion.

For the Cebu-Darwin end, Cebuanos can now visit their relatives in Darwin and stay there for a week, in time for the return flight. Darwin is but a few hours away from the Outback - the great Australian desert - which can be reached by train. Then they have some wetlands with exotic fauna, national parks with exotic flora/fauna and a variety of festivals in the arts (filmfest, lantern fest, Darwin Symphony Orchestra concerts, etc.) all yearlong.

Wild Orchid Airlines offers: All In Fares or Nude Fares "where nothing is hidden", full service, Economy - w/20kg baggage allowance or Business - w/30kg baggage allowance, daytime flight schedules, inflight meals and so far, the cheapest fare offering during high seasons.

Schedule:

Cebu - Darwin flies out 4:35pm and arrives Darwin by 9:40pm

Darwin - Cebu flies out 1:00pm and arrives Cebu by 3:05pm

Note: Australians can stay in the Philippines as tourists for 21 days without a visa .

Filipinos must apply for a visa when going to Australia. It usually takes a month to get the visa.

The executives of Wild Orchid Airlines have met with local travel agencies who are creating various tour packages for the inbound market. They still have to tap the Darwin travel trade partnerships for the outbound passengers. A week's stay in Darwin may seem long, but going to Alice Springs in the wet season (October - April) may find you in 0 degree weather! So, I have been told. And South Australia can be a lovely side-visit.

I have never been to the North Territory but I've been to Adelaide, South Australia and made a poem to best remember the trip: (FREEMAN)