More Dabawenyos want to travel Europe

THE demand of travel flights bound to Europe is currently high for Dabawenyos, Davao Travel Agencies Association (DTAA) said.

GMC Travel Makers owner and a DTAA member Gian Carlo Caguias observed that around three to four years ago, the trend of the travelers was flights bound to Japan and South Korea. However, after quenching this thirst for travel towards these destinations, Caguias said the present hovering question is “Where to next?”

“Because of this, the demand for European destinations started. Last year, we were shocked because Singapore Airlines went down from their usual $900 fare down to $600 to $700. Through this also, the passengers were encouraged to fly to Europe,” Caguias said in Wednesday’s Habi at Kape media forum at Abreeza Ayala Mall yesterday.

Aside from this, he added that there is an apparent increase in the number of tour operators in Europe already penetrating the travel agencies in Davao City. Some of them are even based in Metro Manila who contact the local travel agencies in Davao.

“They found out that Mindanaoan travelers are now already beyond the normal Asian route. We now want to fly directly to Europe,” he said.

DTAA president Alexander Divinagracia also said that this increase in interested Dabawenyo passengers to fly to Europe is supported by Turkish Airlines’ participation to the Davao Mega Travel Sale for the first time this year.

Turkish Airlines currently flies to 106 destinations in Europe. They serve 15 airports in Germany alone, 15 also in Russia, and 11 airports in Italy.

Divinagracia added the Turkish Airlines had seen the Davao Mega Travel Sale’s good performance last year reaching P50 million gross sales which made them want to be included in this year’s travel sale as well.

The 9th Davao Mega Travel Sale will be held at Abreeza Ayala Mall activity center from February 16 to 18, 2018.