Local and foreign tourists are expected to make Banaue, home of the famous rice terraces, as the next must–visit travel destination as Victory Liner officially opened scheduled trips to and from the province this month.

The inaugural trip was graced by officials of the Department of Tourism (DoT) led by Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab, Directors Purificacion Molintas and Blessida Diwa with Northern Philippines Visitors Bureau (NPVB) executive director Patrick Gregorio and Victory Liner’s Marivic Del Pilar.

Victory Liner, which has been plying Northern Luzon routes for more than 62 years, provides an opportunity to rediscover the natural treasures of the country with this new route.

"We are complementing the government’s tourism advocacy to strengthen transportation facilities to major tourists destinations," said Del Pilar.

The Victory Banaue route buses have amenities such as in-bus comfort rooms and service by stewardesses much like on planes.

Victory Liner’s new Banaue route proved most accessible with travelers getting on a bus at its East Avenue Station and off at the scenic Banaue Hotel.

Cebu Pacific (CEB) gives recognition to its top local and international travel agents and wholesalers through the annual Cebu Pacific Eagle’s Wings Awards held in Tagaytay Highlands. Winners brought home Eagle trophies and Eagle passes which entitle them to one year free unlimited passage with Cebu Pacific.

CEB is flying to 20 domestic destinations and international routes in Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Pusan and Incheon in South Korea.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Low-cost carrier Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines, started commercial operations recently, flying its first passengers out of the island resort of Penang, officials said.

Firefly, Malaysia’s second low-cost airline after AirAsia, will use two 50–seater Fokker Friendship aircraft.

Initially, the airline will fly from its base in Penang to the Malaysian cities of Kota Baru, Kuala Terengganu, Kuantan and Langkawi. The airline will also fly daily to the Thai resort islands of Phuket and Koh Samui.

The airline has offered 2,000 free one-way tickets, and more may be handed out if there is demand, Leong said. Passengers have to pay taxes and surcharges.

Normal ticket prices start from 9 ringgit (US$ 2.60, euro1.95) for national flights and from 39 ringgit (US$ 10.40, euro7.80) to Thailand. Firefly’s online booking will start from mid-May.

Firefly is a wholly–owned subsidiary of national carrier Malaysian Airline System Bhd., which has been struggling to make profits while competing with AirAsia for short-haul regional routes.

Firefly is managed separately from MAS, which is in the middle of a restructuring plan that is expected to help it return to profitability this year.

AirAsia, which started in late 2001 and revolutionized air travel in Southeast Asia, services some 15 destinations in Malaysia and about 20 in the region.