AirAsia Philippines will launch a new direct flight route between Cebu and the Chinese city of Shenzhen next month. The airline’s CEO Dexter Comendador said it would be AirAsia’s first China route from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport when it launches on May 19. He added said the new route would enable the low-cost airline to… Full Story »
Travel
China announces visa-free travel for tropical Hainan Island
China has unveiled plans to allow visa-free travel to its tropical southern island of Hainan. The new policy will start in May. It will allow travellers from 59 countries to visit Hainan for 30 days visa free. Among the countries to benefit will be the Philippines, Russia, the United States, France, Britain and Germany. Not… Full Story »
Lawmaker wants to charge tourists $25 tax to visit the Philippines
A lawmaker has called for the introduction of a $25 travel tax on foreign visitors to help fund tourist welfare services. Congressman Luis Raymund Villafuerte says that all tourists visiting the Philippines for less than two months should be charged the levy. “The bill intends to build on the growth of the tourism industry in… Full Story »
Paradise lost: Six-month Boracay closure confirmed from April 26
President Duterte has confirmed that a six-month closure of Boracay Island will start later this month. The decision to close the renowned white-sand resort for environmental rehabilitation was announced by presidential spokesman Harry Roque today (Wednesday, April 4). The condition of the island has been under the spotlight since the president described it as a… Full Story »
Boracay resorts can ‘operate’ during closure — but without any visitors
Although some Boracay resorts will be allowed to operate during the island’s looming closure — visitors will not be able to reach them. An official of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has said that “compliant” resorts could remain open after April 26 — the likely date for the closure of the… Full Story »
