Domestic tourism to rocket with easing of alert level, AirAsia Philippines forecasts

• The world’s best low-cost airline is getting an influx of bookings, especially in the peak Summer season. 

• Cebu and Tabloban tops AirAsia’s February bookings while Boracay dominates March-April flight plans. 

• AirAsia Philippines enjoys the trust and preference of Filipino travelers due to its multi-layered safety protocols against COVID-19

• No more RT-PCR tests for 10 AirAsia Philippines destinations 

AirAsia Philippines welcomes the government’s decision to ease the restrictions in Metro Manila to Alert Level 2. The world’s best low-cost airline is confident that this will encourage even more Filipinos to engage in domestic travel, most especially during the peak Summer season. 

This development in restrictions gives local government units in the provinces the option to relax their own protocols for visitors coming from the National Capital Region. With the change in alert levels, the ‘No Vax, No Ride’ policy is now also lifted, further  stimulating  mobility with caution and standard safety protocols still in place. 

Additionally, facility-based quarantining is no longer required for arriving Filipinos and international travelers.  Fully vaccinated travelers are instead required to submit a negative RT-PCR test taken at least 48-hours prior to their departure from their country of origin.  

Summer destinations have started to accept guests as early as this month.  AirAsia Philippines revealed that bookings for forward travel 31-90 days in advance have increased by 25% while immediate travel from 0-30 days has risen by 17%.  Tacloban and Cebu are the top destinations of choice for February travel while Caticlan (Boracay) dominates the March and April bookings.

AirAsia Philippines Spokesperson Steve Dailisan said, “The downward trend in COVID-19 cases is very encouraging for the different sectors here in our country, domestic tourism included. We are optimistic that this, along with the strategic easing of safety protocols across regions, will reinforce the confidence of local tourists to re-explore and reconnect with our own culture, heritage and top destinations. We encourage everyone to continue being vigilant and cautious as we work together in sustaining the positive progress of our country’s pandemic response.”

Some local government units in the provinces have relaxed their travel protocols following the announcement of Metro Manila’s downgrade to Alert Level 2.  The provincial government of Aklan for instance has amended its executive order and immediately scrapped the negative RT-PRC requirement for fully vaccinated tourists.  Meanwhile, the provincial government of Negros Occidental has decided to require an Antigen test instead.

Health and safety, however, remains to be the number one concern of travelers amid the country’s changing COVID-19 situation. A survey commissioned by AirAsia Philippines last December 2021 revealed that 49% of the guests said they will push through with their trip this 2022 because of confidence that the local government units in the provinces can control the COVID-19 situation.  But when asked the question, “what are the reasons why you would be unlikely to push through with your trip?” 61% said they do not want to be quarantined. 

“Health and safety has become an integral part of our daily operation. Our collaboration with government units, regulating bodies and medical experts have also allowed us to come up with a robust multi-layered safety plan that is proven effective in ensuring the wellbeing of our guests and staff.  Health and safety will always remain on top of our operational priority list and our guests’ day-to-day practice,” Dailisan added. The airline’s multi-layered safety plan has gained its guests’ favor.  42% of surveyed guests said they will continue to patronize AirAsia Philippines due to upholding the highest standards of safety and hygiene. 

For updated flight schedules, travel requirements and restrictions per destinations, please visit the airasia travel safe page.