Filipino Tourist Arrivals into Japan up by 129% After CEB Launches new Japan Routes

The only Philippine low-cost carrier operating between the Philippines and Japan, Cebu Pacific is encouraged by recent Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) figures* indicating that the Philippines is one of its fastest growing sources of foreign visitor arrivals.

Philippine visitor arrivals to Japan grew by 129.5% in April 2014, compared to March 2014.

For the month of April, visitors from the Philippines grew the most, topping even China.

This was a month after CEB launched direct daily services to Tokyo (Narita) and four weekly services to Nagoya.

CEB also began operating daily services to Osaka earlier this year.

In May, Philippine visitor arrivals grew by 71.5%, second ranked when it comes to the fastest growth.

Japan seeks to achieve its goal of increasing the number of foreign visitors to 20 million, in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"With CEB's new Japan destinations and trademark low fares, those who have always been interested in traveling to Japan now find themselves able to do so.

This amazing growth in Filipino tourist arrivals to Japan is what we call the Cebu Pacific effect.

We hope we can continue stimulating traffic not just to Japan, but to the Philippines as well," said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB flew over 45,800 passengers to and from Japan for the months of April and May 2014, considered the Philippines' summer and Japan's spring months. This translated to a growth of over 480%, compared to the same period last year.

Lowest year-round fares to Osaka start at P3,999. Meanwhile, CEB fares to Nagoya and Tokyo start at P5,499, up to 70% lower than other full-service airlines.

Aside from Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, CEB offers flights to 23 other international destinations, namely Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brunei, Busan, Dubai, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hong Kong, Incheon (Seoul), Jakarta, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Macau, Phuket, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Xiamen. It also operates the most extensive network in the Philippines with destinations such as Boracay, Palawan and Coron.

About Cebu Air Inc. (PSE: CEB)

Cebu Air Inc. is the largest low cost carrier (LCC) in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline.

CEB’s 52-strong fleet is comprised of 10 Airbus A319, 30 Airbus A320, 4 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. It is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world. Between 2014 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 11 more brand-new Airbus A320, 30 Airbus A321neo, and 2 Airbus A330 aircraft.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair.com or call reservation hotlines (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB's official Twitter (@cebupacificair) and Facebook pages.