The Philippines’ second busiest and premier airport getaway in Visayas lived up to the standards of Asia Pacific after Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) named Asia’s Best Airport under the “five million passenger category” in this year’s Routes Asia Awards in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
MCIA was chosen among 200 airports in the Asia Pacific in the five million category, due to their vital effort to increase passenger traffic amid the global health crisis brought about by the COVID-19, and other calamities that struck the country, and how they carried out recovery strategies for 2023.
In a statement in their website, Routes Asia said that Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which is managed by GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), has always taken a two-pronged approach to route development: airline marketing to create supply and destination marketing to ensure the sustainability of its airline partners’ presence and address the demand for air services.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) general manager and chief executive officer Julius Neri Jr., cited the public-private partnership between the governing board and the airport’s private management in running the main gateway in Central Visayas and the support from the national and local governments.
Neri, in an interview with Philippine News Agency, extended his thanks to Department of Tourism Secretary (DOT) Christina Garcia Frasco and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista and their astounding support that helped them move forward from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Odette.
He also cited the support they received from the provincial government and Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s policy initiatives on tourism, peace, and development that helped pump prime visitor traffic in Cebu. He pledged to do more as he “eyed to vie for higher recognition in a different category in next year’s award.”
The way they marketed the effort in Mactan-Cebu Airport as a destination dramatically increased the number of arrivals from zero after Typhoon Odette to 2 million in the later part of 2022. Neri stressed that it is indeed a very perfect example of the public-private partnership between the MCIAA and GMCAC.
The awarding night was held last February 15, 2023, in Chiang Mai, Thailand. MCIAA Lawyer Tani-Angub Gaviola, Naomi Arcayan, Elmar Tagaloguin, and Jemar Nietes received the award with GMCAC’s Aines Liboro, Ivan Romano, and Inaki Ponio.
GMCAC Director Rafael Aboitiz, said in a statement that the recognition denotes their strong commitment to resume the pre-pandemic connectivity while carrying out strategies in both airline and destination marketing.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is the overall winner while Perth Airport was named winner in the five to 10 million passenger category. Routes Asia is an international aviation and airline events company based in the United Kingdom.
DOT was also named the winner in the “Destination Category”, citing its “persistence in its efforts to partner with airports and airlines to reinstate discontinued routes and secure new air services.” Congratulations to all the winners! https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1195375
Mactan-Cebu Airport is located in a 797-hectare site in Lapu-Lapu City on Mactan Island that serves the Central Visayas region. It’s the main international airport serving Cebu, Philippines. It is also known as a hub for Cebgo, Cebu Pacific, Pan Pacific Airlines, PAL Express, Philippine Airlines, Royal Air Philippines and a focus city for Air Juan and Philippines AirAsia.
Mactan-Cebu Airport handled 12,662,055 passengers in 2019, being the second busiest airport in the Philippines, and was ranked the 9th most on-time airport in Southeast Asia by OAG, an air travel intelligence company, in 2018.
Also known as “Queen City of the South”, Cebu is considered the 2nd biggest city of the country with a huge and busy port which is an important commercial point and connection.
Cebu is also known for its respective tourist destinations, products and delicacies like lechon, danggit, chicharon, hopia, and dried mangoes, among others.
There’s also a place where you can get your hair done, eat some samgyeopsal, and grab some coffee all at the same place—the Bonifacio District and Faustina Center.
Whether you’re in for a quick errand or simply having a nice day out with friends and family, this strip mall has all that you need to complete the day. The Bonifacio District is the one-stop place for all your needs, located in F. Cabahug St., Cebu City. https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1951866/cebu/lifestyle/sunstars-best-of-cebu-2022-winners-part-5-of-7
Tourists and travelers when visiting Cebu, for sure always do a quick (or long) visit and trip to Basilica of Santo Nino, Kalanggaman Islet (Malapascua Island), Tumalog Falls (Oslob) or Kawasan Falls (Moalboal) and see the Taoist Temple.
Have you been to Mactan-International Airport? Are you amazed with its international-airport feels and vibe? Share your thoughts with us! #
