Tourists visiting the Philippines may now stay connected with their friends and family back home through Smart Communications, Inc.’s broadband network.
Beginning December 1 2014, passengers aboard Cebu Pacific Air’s inbound international flights can purchase the Cebu Pacific Fun Data SIM powered by Smart Bro from CEB cabin crew inflight. This will allow them to stay online and connected while traveling around the Philippines.
With the Cebu Pacific Fun Data SIM, tourists can enjoy 1.5 GB worth of data which they can use to upload photos on Facebook and Instagram, or send a quick tweet or chat with friends and relatives abroad. Aside from the mobile data allocation valid for 15 days, the SIM also includes 100 text messages and 10 minutes of voice calls to all Philippine mobile networks, as well as discounted rates for international calls.
The LTE-capable SIM can be used with a variety of gadgets, since it is pre-cut for devices using regular, mini-, or nano-SIM slots. It is available for P500 per SIM pack.
The deal signed by the two companies makes CEB the first airline in the country to offer an innovative travel product that caters to the communication needs of its passengers. It also allows Smart to tap into new markets, particularly visiting tourists from Asia and around the world, bolstered by the increasing number of international tourist arrivals in the country as reported by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Recent DOT data suggest, for instance, that international tourist arrivals for the first eight months of the year have increased by 2.72% from the same period last year, buoyed by intensive marketing and promotional activities both by the government and local airline companies like CEB.
CEB flies from 28 international destinations to the Philippines, and serves growing foreign tourist markets from South Korea, Japan, China and Australia, among others. It also operates the most extensive network in the country, providing foreign visitors convenient access to the Philippines’ many islands.
“With international tourist arrivals expected to grow further in the coming years, we see a bright spot in targeting foreign travelers who want to experience what the Philippines has to offer,” said Michele Curran, First Vice President, Data and International Services at Smart. “Partnering with Cebu Pacific Air opens a wider market for Smart as they continually expand their route network to more countries worldwide.”
“Aside from offering a relevant product to suit our passengers’ needs, we believe this will also contribute to the country’s tourism agenda. The Cebu Pacific Fun Data SIM powered by Smart Bro can enable guests to share their fun experiences online, real-time, wherever they may be in the Philippines,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.
