DOT optimistic airport fee hike won’t affect travel

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) said that the planned hike in airport fees would not stop Filipinos from being bitten by the travel bug.

“Despite the increase of airport fees from P550 to P950 next year, if one really wants to travel and see other places, it will not matter to travelers,” said Catherine Agustin, DOT chief tourism operations officer, on the sidelines of a briefing for Travel Sale Expo (TSE) 2024.

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In addition, the DOT is looking forward to the changes and improvements at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) under the government concession agreement with San Miguel Corp.-led New Naia Infra Corp.

But the DOT no longer sees “a good forecast” for the return of Chinese tourists within the year.

As a result, it is working on developing secondary source markets like Eastern Europe, the Middle East and India, noting that opening these new markets will help the DOT surpass its target of 7.7 million tourist arrivals this year.

To make travel more seamless and affordable, the DOT is supporting travel sale expos like the one set from Sept. 27 to Sept. 29 at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall.

The TSE will have 176 exhibitors occupying 200 booths. Union Bank of the Philippines cardholders may avail of exclusive access to the event, including free entrance and zero percent installment payment options. —Vanessa B. Hidalgo