Truism stakeholders criticise open skies in Philippines
Tourism stakeholders in the Philippines have voice concerns over the country’s Open Skies policy.
Jose Perez de Tagle, Philippine Airlines (PAL) Assistant Vice President for Government Affairs, warned officials that such a policy could spell the end for domestic carriers, pointing out Cambodia as a case in point - Cambodia’s domestic carrier succumbed to foreign competition in 1999 when they were given unlimited air rights.
Perez de Tagle said the policy was the wrong approach to tourism development, saying marketing and product development are more important than access when trying to boost arrivals. He added that the government has been to rushed in relaxing air rights, saying it should have preserved the interest of domestic carriers and negotiated equal access to other countries on a bilateral basis.
Quoted in the Cebu Daily News, the PAL spokesman said; “With the government’s policy now, the concern is that the foreign international carriers can monopolise the servicing of a place. They can add unlimited flights to Cebu but we can’t negotiate for more to their country because what more can we bargain with? They are already given the unlimited rights.”
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