SilkAir vows to fan tourism arrivals in Davao

SILKAIR, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, commits to bring in more tourists to and from Davao City next year to further increase tourism arrivals here.

SilkAir Mindanao manager Ravindran told Sun Star Davao in an interview during the airline’s appreciation night with partners last Wednesday, November 29 at Pinnacle Hotel and Suites that Davao is viable tourism and business destination.

“We believe in Davao, it can grow,” he said. However, Ravindran noted a downward trend as to the number of passengers flying to and from Davao City as compared to last year.

SilkAir flies 10 times weekly in Davao. When it started operating here, 20 years ago, it only operates three times a week flights to Singapore.

“We are not doing as better as last year, many reasons, less people are coming to Davao compared last year, economy and security reasons following the Marawi City incident,” he said.

He quickly added that the situation is expected to shift next year as tourism climate is recovering fast.

“But I think this year is just for a while I expect it to become better or recover next year. We just have to rebuild Mindanao for business and tourists to come in. Also, looking at the bright side, the rebuilding of Marawi is also a business opportunity for some,” he said.

At present, Ravindran is closely coordinating with the tourism industry players here as he just assumed the new post as area manager of Mindanao early November.

Asked if there are plans to increase the number of flights next year, Ravindran was quick to add that no commitment yet to add flights.

“We are doing well with the 10 flights weekly. But if we saw the need, why not? The demand is always there, anything is possible, we will be happy to operate more,” Ravindran said.

He added that evaluation of the general travel sentiments, the economy and the competition are some of the concerns they need to look at first before increasing flights.

He shared that a significant number of Indian passengers are using the airline’s India-Singapore-Davao route.

“We have a lot of Indian passengers who are going to and from Davao City, mostly are students,” he said.

Davao City Tourism officer Generose Tecson, in a separate interview, said that the city is also planning to talk with their India counterparts to lure more Indian tourists, especially those relatives and friends of Indian who are studying in Davao.

“It could be better if their families and friends will also see and visit Davao,” Tecson said.

Aside from Davao, SilkAir flies to Cebu and Kalibo from its hub in Singapore.

SilkAir’s network operates 407 weekly flights to over 50 destinations in 13 countries. In a previous report, the airline is keen on increasing its passenger traffic both ways.