*AirAsia to fly ASEAN Ambassadors for the Boracay International Business Forum
To safeguard the unspoiled allure of Boracay while elevating its status as a premier tourist and investment hub, AirAsia Philippines proudly assumes the role of the official airline carrier for an esteemed gathering. Ambassadors from ASEAN and other Asian nations will converge for a 3-day International Business Forum and Diplomatic Visit on the idyllic shores of Boracay. This event aims to foster international collaboration and cultivate economic and tourism partnerships for Boracay.
AirAsia flight Z2 217 will transport Ambassadors from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Pakistan, Taiwan, and other diplomatic personnel to Caticlan on Thursday, April 18th.
Discussions amongst diplomats, business leaders, stakeholders, and local government officials will cover various topics including collaborative opportunities, the evolution of digital marketing, and sustainable tourism.
Ricky Isla, CEO of AirAsia Philippines and a panelist in the business forum, expresses his enthusiasm for the event and the chance to showcase Boracay’s splendor to the diplomatic community firsthand.
“As an ASEAN carrier, AirAsia takes pride in hosting our Ambassadors in Boracay. By facilitating the travel of our international leaders, we aim to contribute to Boracay’s promotion not only as a tourist hotspot but also as a potential foreign investment destination. This underscores AirAsia’s position as a leader in airline operations in Boracay,” Mr. Isla explains.
Presently, AirAsia Philippines operates nine daily flights from Manila to Caticlan, daily flights from Clark to Caticlan, and three weekly flights from Cebu to Caticlan, in addition to three daily flights via Kalibo International Airport.
“AirAsia is the preferred airline for travelers heading to Boracay due to our affordable fares, excellent deals with over 216 hotel partners through the AirAsia MOVE platform, and top-notch service. Throughout the year, our airline enjoys a remarkable average load factor of 90-95%, with over 300 thousand seats sold in Q1 of 2024 alone. Boracay remains the most popular destination across all AirAsia routes,” Isla adds.
During the pandemic, AirAsia actively promoted Boracay among leisure travelers by arranging flights for prominent Filipino celebrities such as Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, Jodi Sta Maria, Vice Ganda, Arci Munoz, Christine Reyes, and Yeng Constantino under its “Airline of the Stars” campaign, supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Boracay has garnered multiple international accolades, including being named one of Time Magazine’s 50 World’s Greatest Places, securing the 18th spot in the 2023 World Beach Guide, and earning recognition as the 5th Best Island Destination by the 2023 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Award. Additionally, Boracay claimed the third position in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2023. Most recently, it has been nominated as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination in the 2024 World Travel Awards.
