South Korea’s travel trade gains Cebu Air with Abacus

SINGAPORE – With strong competition between brands operating the 182 weekly flights between the Peninsula and Manila, Cebu and Clark hubs, Cebu Pacific is harnessing the power of Abacus’ Korean distribution grid to target the influential B2B channel and with tactical low cost fares.

 

The agreement capitalises on burgeoning Korean traffic, which amounted to 1.17 million arrivals or almost a quarter of the total inbound in 2013 and is expected to rise to 3.8 million by 2017, according to Euromonitor International. Koreans also tend to spend more than other Asian visitors to the Philippines.
 

Candice Iyog, VP Marketing and Distribution for CEB explained, “Of the 24 international routes we fly from the Philippines, the services to South Korea are among the most important, strategically. This partnership with Abacus means we can focus on offering the best fare bundles vital to travel agents across the Peninsula, encouraging more travellers to experience Cebu Pacific.”
 

“South Korea’s travel agents will be making significantly more bookings on routes to the Philippines. We are therefore delighted that this landmark and exclusive distribution agreement will help Cebu Pacific connect more closely with the professional community, developing this popular airline’s brand awareness and share,” added Ho Hoong Mau, Vice President, Airline Distribution of Abacus.

 

Cebu Pacific content is available to Korean Abacus users from this month. The schedules and fares add to an Abacus portfolio of over 600 carriers, including the largest number of low cost and hybrid airlines in Asia Pacific.