Jeju Air, touted as South Korea’s first and largest low-cost airline, is opening direct flights from Incheon to Puerto Princesa beginning in March.

Demetrio Alvior Jr., chief of the City Tourism Department (CTD), told reporters on Tuesday that this new route is partly the result of collaboration between the city government and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines.

Alvior disclosed that South Korea’s ambassador to the Philippines is visiting Puerto Princesa “very soon” to finalize plans for this direct Incheon flight.

He said this development will open the floodgates for the arrival of thousands of tourists, and highlight the city’s status as a key transport hub.

“South Korean tourists are eager to return and prefer the route from Jeju Island to Taipei to Puerto Princesa City, as it doesn’t require a visa. Starting March, direct flights from Incheon will be available via Jeju Air,” Alvior said.

The city government is confident that the arrival of large numbers of Korean tourists will help rejuvenate Puerto Princesa’s tourism sector, which has not fully recovered from the pandemic slump.

Alvior said South Korea is a huge tourism market, and its citizens can potentially give the local hospitality sector some much-needed business.

“Korea is now turning its attention towards Puerto Princesa,” he added.

The CTD is also working with the Department of Tourism (DOT) to arrange a familiarization trip for South Korean journalists and business figures interested in investment opportunities in Puerto Princesa. (PNA)