AirAsia Driven to Boost Tourism in Cebu City, Launches New Programs and Inks Partnerships

As the national health situation improves with the deployment of COVID-19 vaccines in different parts of the country, AirAsia Philippines starts looking forward to a safer and enjoyable future by forging partnerships, and offering amazing discounts and promos that will surely bring delight to travel enthusiasts and adventure seekers locally.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla and Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) President Alfred Reyes

Globally, the tourism industry is one of the major industries affected by the spread of the virus that led to closing of borders and limited the movement of people. AirAsia, along with other local and international airline companies in the world has been innovating ways and driving efforts to help various countries to beat the virus while providing economic solutions.

AirAsia Chief Finance Office Raymund Berja, Air Asia CEO Ricky Isla, HRRACI President Alfred Reyes and AirAsia Marketing Head Len Caccam
(Note: Facemasks were taken off only during this one photo.)

In a simple MOA signing ceremony held at bai Hotel, Cebu City, AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla and Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) President Alfred Reyes led the inking of partnership with high hopes that would help boost not only the tourism industry of Cebu City, but as well as to aid other businesses and provinces in the Western Visayan region that are still weathering the impact of the global pandemic.

"As soon as we can recover, let's be agile, let's be resilient. We can do it with a lot of partnerships, with a lot of collaboration. And I'm so happy that we're formally signing the partnership with HRRACI today that would be a good contribution to Cebu's tourism industry," AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.


HRRACI is a non-profit, non-government organization that provides an avenue for strategic partnerships among its member companies, associates, schools and other stakeholders with the common goal of promoting Cebu as a world-class tourist destination.

HRRACI President Reyes shared: "The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated to the tourism industry that trust, partnership, and solidarity are essential for revitalizing travel as we anticipate the reopening of borders. On behalf of the whole HRRACI, we are excited for this partnership. We are passionate about innovating through partnership and technology and see the way people book and experience travel."


Along with the forged partnership, AirAsia Philippines also announces the potential partnership opportunities for HRRACI stakeholders such as a-Access, an incentive card for both AirAsia and non-AirAsia guests granting access to exclusive offers from a wide selection of partner establishments across key destination in the country including Cebu. Alongside this, AirAsia Philippines also shared SNAP - a one-stop shop for all our travel needs including airfare, hotel, tours and even souvenir items.


"AirAsia is more than just an airline. We were blessed to have pivoted to what is the future of doing business now for AirAsia. This transformation enabled AirAsia to be more creative and agile to the changing situation especially in this time of the pandemic," AirAsia Chief Financial Officer Raymund Berja.

AirAsia also announces partnership with GCash and Paymaya, which aims to provide contactless and seamless transaction. This partnership is set to give AirAsia added safety and convenience, just like what AirAsia and HRRACI has agreed on - a swift and secure way to recovery.

"We cannot discount the fact that AirAsia will continuously pushed our services at its best low rates. Why? Because for the past 12 years, AirAsia Global has been recognized by SKYTRAX as the Best Low-Priced Carrier Company in the World, and we have to continue that," AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla added.

Together with AirAsia, HRRACI is determined to achieve one goal - and that is to rebuild tourism.


Currently, local tourists who wish to visit Cebu City are required to submit a negative RT-PCR Swab Test and an approved S-Pass to enter the city. Meanwhile, travelers who are entering via Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue Cities are free to enter without the aforementioned test result. Both parties are hoping that with the on-going inoculation of the COVID-19 vaccine in the country, tourism will bounce soon to help the struggling travel and tourism industry in the Philippines.



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