Ribbon-cutting. Tiotuico, Padua, AirAsia Commercial Head Alfredo Herrera and CEO Hontiveros open travel and service center.
Photo by Ric Gonzales
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “Passion makes one successful in life. Our partner here is an example.”
Thus said Philippines AirAsia CEO Maan Hontiveros on Friday in describing Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP) President Gilda Padua, owner of the newly opened Asia Travel Service Center (ATSC) at the Tune Hotels in Barangay Malabanias here.
Hontiveros expressed confidence in the 17- year experience of Padua in the travel and hotel industry.
The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman hotel and restaurant administration graduate is one of the owners of two Ties That Travel agencies at SM Clark and Barangay Pandan, here and the Travel Unlimited in Makati City.
For her part, Padua said her favourite line in the Bible, “All of these are for You.” Her interpretation is that “what Jesus meant was that you have to share what you have with other people.”
“You is not really Jesus but our fellow human beings,” added Padua, wife of the 7th Tactical Fighter Bulldogs Squadron head pilot Maj. Augusto Padua of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) at the Basa Air Base in Flordablanca, Pampanga.
She, along with her friend businesswoman Leah Bais, are pioneer members of the Zonta Club international women’s civic group.
Padua recently partnered with Gov. Lilia Pineda for the ATTAP’s concept on “Pamangan” food festival to be highlighted at the week-long Pampanga Day celebration in December.
In a statement, AirAsia said bargain hunters, budget travellers and holidaymakers from Pampanga and nearby provinces in Central Luzon may now purchase seats, avail themselves of low fare promos and other exciting travel services and privileges at the ATSC.
Padua’s ATSC on the ground floor of Tune Hotels is the first in North Luzon and fourth in the country.
To celebrate the launch, AirAsia is offering Clark- Singapore all-in promo fare from P1,499 only starting 22 to 28 October. Guests who will avail themselves of this promo will be able to travel from December 15, 2012 to March 31, 2013.
“We are opening more and more travel service centers so that everyone can have an easy, hassle-free access to our super low fares and promos.
We have ATSCs in Metro Manila and Davao City malls but today is extra special because we are opening our doors to the community where we base our operations,” Hontiveros said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Philippines’ AirAsia set up its hub in Clark, Pampanga in 2011 in an effort to develop travel and tourism outside Metro Manila.
“Travel and tourism have never been this exciting for us here in Central and Northern Luzon since Philippines’ AirAsia started its operation in Clark airport this year. Aside from low fares, AirAsia flights are usually punctual, checking in via kiosk and mobile apps is easy and their cabin crew are fun and friendly,” said Padua.
For his part, DOT regional director for Central Luzon Ronnie Tiotuico said “Tourism in our region is growing largely because of AirAsia in Clark and we have marching orders to push for more foreign tourists to come to our region for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits or MICE.”
ATSC-Pampanga exclusively offers AirAsia seats and services. Aside from ATSCs, guests may also purchase AirAsia seats and take advantage of promos through its website www.airasia.com or via accredited travel agents nationwide.
Philippines’ AirAsia call center also accepts booking of regular fares via +632 588 9999 from Monday to Sunday at 0800hrs to 2100hrs (GMT +8).
Guests from Metro Manila may also purchase seats through AirAsia Travel & Service Centers (ATSC) located in SM North EDSA in Quezon City and in Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Davao guests may visit ATSC in Gaisano Mall in Davao City.
“We are here to provide our guests with safe, reliable flights at very affordable prices. Low cost or low fare need not be equated with cheap, uncomfortable or inferior flying experience. We aim to give our guests premium quality service the AirAsia way,” Hontiveros said.
Philippines’ AirAsia partnered with Malaysia’s AirAsia International Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AirAsia Berhad, which has won SkyTrax’s best low cost airline for four consecutive years. (Skytrax is the world’s largest airline and airport review site.)
Never miss out on updates about upcoming bargain deals by following AirAsia via Facebook (facebook/airasiaphilippines) and Twitter (twitter.com/airasiaph).
