By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Taking the opportunity to promote the Philippines as a foreign tourist destination, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco has urged United Airlines to add more routes to the Philippines other than Manila.
Frasco made the pitch for the route expansion during a recent meeting with United Airlines President Janet Lamkin Vice President for International Regulatory and Policy Government Affairs Steve Morrissey and other airline officials.
“I took the opportunity to invite them to also explore expanding to our other gateways such as Cebu, Clark in Pampanga, and Davao, especially that direct access to our islands would greatly improve the tourist experience and unlock economic opportunities nationwide,” the DOT Secretary said.
Frasco is the daughter of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia and wife of House Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco who represents Cebu’s 5th District.
She pointed out that while appreciating the first US carrier nonstop service to Manila, the country’s capital, the Tourism chief also suggested that United Airlines explore Cebu, Clark in Pampanga, and Davao as potential flight routes for United Airlines.
Frasco said she welcomed United Airlines’ flight expansion to Manila, adding that this was a “great vote of confidence” in the country.
The Manila flight is said to be the most requested route ever done by United Airlines.
Recently, United Airlines became the first US carrier to fly directly to Manila from the continental US.
The airline flies the San Francisco-Manila route daily on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, the largest in its fleet.
(ai/mnm)