Flight to recovery: Insights on the future of travel

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

While the world is gradually recovering from the crippling effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, air travel is getting its wings back. Isentia has recently concluded a webinar, along with Access Intelligence, AMEC Global, AirAsia Bhd, and Johnson & Johnson, which enabled them to share some insights and perspectives from the industries they belong in. The session has also enabled these industry leaders to hold a meaningful and data-driven discussion on what the future holds for the future of travel.

These industry leaders who took part in the webinar are experts from around the world. These leaders include Jake Steadman, Global VP for Insights, Access Intelligence; Johna Burke, AMEC Global CEO; Riad Asmat, CEO of AirAsia Berhad; Vishy Ramaswamy, Marketing Director - SEA of Johnson & Johnson; and Prashant Saxena, Head of Insights - Asia from Isentia.

Future of Travel

Many have argued about what travelling after COVID would look like. Some say the situation will be similar to pre-COVID. Others say there will undoubtedly be a much more different atmosphere with travelling. Since the pandemic, people have been required to work from home, and it has proven to be beneficial to most workers, as they have the privilege to work and travel simultaneously.

Jake Steadman, Access Intelligence's Global VP for Insights, has shared data from Pulsar. Steadman has shown how conversations and engagements occurred around the world. According to the data, most discussions occurred in Manila, followed by Jakarta; then Shah Alam.

The webinar mentioned that Germany was the number 7 top priority for Japanese travellers because of the hashtag #YoursTrulyGermany. Since then, Germany's travel campaign has also attracted Singaporean travel influencers. Meanwhile, in the Philippines and Malaysia, the countries have reopened for domestic tourism.

According to Riad Asmat, the CEO of AirAsia, the travels now will not be the same since there are so many protocols and SOPs in place of the safety aspects.

According to J&J Senior Marketing Director - SEA Vishy Ramaswamy, "We are experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and it will change everything, even while travelling."

Catch these highlights and the rest of the webinar through this link HERE. 

Enchanted Kingdom’s 26th Anniversary: Life is Magical… Believe in Miracles!

Wazzup Pilipinas!?


October is always a magical month at Enchanted Kingdom. It is after all, the birth month of the first and most loved theme park in the Philippines! Officially opened in October 19, 1995, EK’s wonderland of rides, attractions and entertainment has been a source of magic, thrill and cheer for generations upon generations of loyal guests for 26 years now.

This month, the park marks its milestone with an offering that will surely bring the magic Enchanted Kingdom is known for straight to your TV screens. Premiering on October 29 at 6pm, EK’s Anniversary Special: “Life is Magical… Believe in Miracles!” will air over the Pinoy Box Office Channel (PBO) and EK’s official Facebook account www.facebook.com/enchantedkingdom.ph.

In the face of challenges, fear and uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, Enchanted Kingdom continues to be a beacon of light and hope for everyone, going to great lengths to make its magic felt, albeit virtually. The anniversary show is all about the magic and miracles of life, featuring stories of hope, courage, resilience and inspiration from real-life “Twinspirations.” Hosted by no less than EK’s royal twins, Princess Madeline and Princess Victoria, witness the unveiling of EK’s newest attraction dedicated to them, the towering spinning coaster called the TWIN SPIN. See the legend of the ride unfold and enjoy all the magical entertainment throughout the episode courtesy of EK’s Circle of Artists, Victoria’s Way and Kingsmen, Mauie Francisco, Cholo Bismonte and Chelle Mariveles.

Save the date and make sure to catch this spEKtacular offering before Enchanted Kingdom’s birth month ends. Remember that there’s still much to be grateful for because Life is Magical as long as we keep believing in Miracles!

For more information on promos and ticket reservations and bookings, please visit Enchanted Kingdom’s official website www.enchantedkingdom.ph. Get EKslusive deals through EK’s Online Store via store.enchantedkingdom.ph/ or official Facebook page www.facebook.com/enchantedkingdom.ph.

Airport projects to boost tourism in Cebu

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

The Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) transport initiatives in the aviation sector in Cebu Province, including the development projects at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) will create a platform to boost Cebu Province’s tourism and economic development, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade underscored on Thursday, 28 October 2021.

“What we are doing now in Cebu is creating a platform for a tourism booster,” Secretary Tugade said during the inauguration of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) Corporate Building.

Completed on 21 March 2021, the newly-inaugurated Corporate Building will house MCIAA employees in centralized offices with advanced equipment and facilities. The six-storey facility aims to improve services and accessibility to airport stakeholders.

Secretary Tugade explained that the improvement works at the MCIA, and the improvement and construction of three other airports in the province will propel Cebu Province as a “good place for business.”

“As we improve the existing airport and the terminal, as we add a second runway for the MCIA, we are telling the whole world: “Come to Cebu. It is a place for business.’” Tugade stressed.

Meanwhile, with the rapid pace of the construction of the airport’s secondary runway, Secretary Tugade revealed that partial operations of the second runway may begin before the end of April 2022 to enable MCIA accommodate more aircraft.

Secretary Tugade said that the MCIA also targets to increase its passenger cap from 1,000 passengers to 2,000 passengers to accommodate travelers, returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), and Filipino seafarers, in anticipation of the influx of passengers during the Christmas season.

“Ang cap na darating na pasahero dito 1,000. Instead of 1,000, gagawin nating 2,000 passengers. Effective last week, ibinigay natin ang increase in capacity for passengers. Magmamadaling umuwi ang ating mga kababayan at gustung-gusto nilang umuwi sa kanilang mga bahay,” he said.

BANTAYAN, CAMOTES, MEDELLIN AIRPORTS

In awe of Cebu’s tourist gems, Secretary Tugade also said that the DOTr has been pushing for the completion of the Bantayan Airport, adding that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s office committed P150 million to fast track the completion of the gateway, which he said will be operational in April 2022.

“Nakita ‘yung ganda at pakinabang ng paliparan, like a knight in shining armor, kung may pasasalamatan tayo, pasalamatan natin ang Office of Mayor-President Rodrigo Roa Duterte pagkat siya ang nagbigay at naglaan ng pondo nang sa ganoon, mapakinabangan at magamit ang Bantayan Airport sa darating na Abril,” he added.

Secretary Tugade also vowed to oversee the start of construction and completion of the Camotes Airport in the town of San Francisco and Medellin Airport in the town of Medellin.

“Tututukan ko ang pag-umpisa ng airport sa Camotes Island at Medellin. Tatapusin ko ‘yan. Makikipagtulungan ako upang mabigyang buhay ang pag-uumpisa at pagtatapos ng mga airport na ito,” he said.

MCIAA General Manager Julius Neri, Jr., meanwhile, explained that aside from the MCIA, the Bantayan and Camotes Airports are expected to capitalize on the province’s potential by catering to the tourism industry, while the Medellin Airport will serve as an export processing zone in the province.

“So, aside from our airport in Mactan, we will have two airports that will be serving the tourism industry, while the Medellin Airport will have a different purpose—it will be developed into an export processing zone,” GM Neri said.

For his part, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan said the development of MCIA’s second runway will be a huge lift for the city’s tourism industry.

“Malaking tulong ito sa Lapu-Lapu City, with this second runway. You know, Mactan-Cebu International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the Philippines. You know, Lapu-Lapu is a tourism hub, kaya itong development na ito—sigurado ako na maraming mga turista na magpupunta pabalik dito sa aming lugar. Malaking tulong ito sa siyudad namin na Lapu-Lapu,” Mayor Chan said.