Lower airfare urged to boost tourism

A SENATOR on Sunday called for cheaper domestic airline prices, which he notes would boost local tourism.

“Our people would rather go to Hong Kong or Taiwan because the one-way ticket going to Batanes or one-way ticket going to Tawi-Tawi is more expensive compared to a round-trip ticket going to Hong Kong,” Senator Erwin T. Tulfo said in a statement.

The senator urged the Department of Tourism to improve its efforts to lower airfare prices for domestic flights to enable the Philippines to compete with neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

Mr. Tulfo added that higher ticket prices for domestic flights hinder local tourism.

“We have beautiful beaches in Basilan, and we have beautiful beaches in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, and other parts of the country. We have a beautiful scenery in Batanes. Unfortunately, it is too pricey,” he said.

He also recommended the creation of direct flight to other provinces and the promotion of “underrated” provinces.

Earlier, Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda, who sponsored the Tourism department’s budget in plenary, said that the agency was working closely with the Departments of Transportation, and Trade, Civil Aeronautics Board, and the Philippine Competition Commission to address the surge in airline prices.

She also said that consultations are ongoing to finalize a code of conduct for online travel agencies to ensure transparency and fair pricing, aligned with Republic Act 11967 or the Internet Transactions Act. — Adrian H. Halili