The rush of leaving home for the first time to fly to your ideal destination brings a sense of excitement and giddiness. The thought of new memories waiting to be made and the world floating away in midair fills you with anticipation. This feeling of falling in love with travel for the first time is a familiar one, and you know it well.
Cebu Pacific is driven by moments like these—in service of dreamers who eagerly check off destinations from their bucket list. Last year, the budget airline proudly reported flying 15 million passengers, a sign of steady recovery from the pandemic that had reduced capacity in the industry. This year, Cebu Pacific is striving for new milestones with creative and sustainable approaches, aiming for a full capacity by March 2023.
“It’s so good to be back, in terms of capacity, in terms of destinations we fly to, we have restored 24 of 24 for domestics and 35 of 35 for international flights,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and customer experience, Candice Iyog.
The international routes were relatively challenging to restore but the community-driven airline has powered through these and made the unimaginable happen.
Here are some highlight destinations to look forward to this year with some updates from the airline:
Bangkok. Distressed by the consequences of the pandemic, most countries had a torrid year for tourism and travels. For Bangkok however, whose strength is comparable to that of a phoenix, rose up from the ashes and became one of the first countries to reopen its doors for tourists. There are no more requirements for travellers, and the airline is flying to Bangkok 18 times weekly starting March.
Taiwan. Often cited as the “happiest place” in East Asia, Taiwan gets to be the most recommended destination for foodies and lovers. It is known for its exotic food you see in its night markets and its majestic, natural and traditional sights. Taiwan is visa-free until the end of July, and the airline operates a daily flight.
South Korea. It’s not just its K-Pop music industry that charms and pulls in visitors from all over the world but also the unique attractions that stand in the land with a melange of must-see modern and ancient landscapes. All travellers need is a valid visa and an online registration of the QR code. The airline has three flights daily—two from Manila and one from Cebu.
Japan. The country is a paradise for active living and peaceful escapade. While the country has its fair share of natural wonders, it’s also home to some of the most incredible cities on earth. It is finally open for tourist travel. The country just needs a person’s proof of vaccination and online registration. By March, the airline will have eight flights weekly to Narita, five times weekly to Fukuoka, and daily flights for Osaka and Nagoya.
Australia. Now is the time to spice up your wanderlust adventure and get on a plane to Australia. So if you want to go off the beaten path and explore wildlife experiences, you know where to go.
There is still time to book your flights to watch the Australian Open if you want to watch. The airline has five flights weekly to Sydney and three times weekly to Melbourne starting March.
Hong Kong. Hong Kong is no longer requiring one to undergo quarantine processes. For those who love art, culture and history, there’s no better destination than Hong Kong because it has all these things in abundance. It is now open for tourists. No quarantine measures are necessary, just proof of vaccination and a negative antigen test result obtained within 24 hours of travel. The airline flies to Hong Kong 32 times weekly, so as much as five times daily on some days.
China. Being a kaleidoscope of history and featuring some of the most majestic wonders of nature, China remains one of the top destinations in the world. Whether you’re doing Tai Chi at a local park or hanging out on the Great Wall of China, it’s an experience that every traveler wishes to fulfill.
“China is also slowly opening up, no more quarantine requirements, just a valid visa and a negative PCR test and QR code which you can get online. We are operating flights to Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Beijing,” Iyog said.
Macau. Macau is another popular vacation spot for locals and tourists as it is a home for lavish entertainment. If you haven’t made preparations for your next trip, you already know where to bet for your next good time because this location is also known as the “Vegas of China.” The airline will have three flights weekly to Macau starting March.