TACLOBAN CITY – The opening of air routes connecting this city to Iloilo and Davao strengthen connectivity between Visayas and the Mindanao region, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Thursday.

Department of Tourism (DOT) 8 (Eastern Visayas) Director Karina Rosa Tiopes said the new flights to the regional capital offer travelers greater convenience and accessibility.

“With these additional flight options, traveling has never been easier. Whether you’re on a business trip, reconnecting with loved ones, or exploring the unique charms of these cities, you’re now just one flight away,” Tiopes said in a statement.

On Oct. 29, Cebu Pacific launched its new routes: Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo, operating four times weekly (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday), and Davao-Tacloban-Davao, operating three times per week (every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).

Tiopes said flights between Tacloban and Davao by Cebu Pacific are a big factor in promoting the region to the Mindanao market and in making Tacloban a MICE destination.

MICE, which stands for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events/exhibitions, is one of the DOT’s major programs to attract more tourists and visitors.

Tacloban City, along with Ormoc City and Baybay City, are positioned by the regional tourism office as MICE destinations in Eastern Visayas due to the presence of facilities, such as convention centers and big hotels that can accommodate many visitors.

The Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo flights will link islands in the Visayas and support the proposed “One Visayas” initiative.

Tiopes said that under the program, which will be launched in December, there are identified tour operators willing to do the costing as they come up with thematic tour programs for the three Visayas regions.

“Connectivity is not a problem since we have flights to Cebu and Iloilo will. Since this is a long-haul tour, this is good for our inbound foreign guests,” she said.

The Iloilo-Tacloban-Iloilo flights offered in 2012 were stopped after a year due to the devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda in November 2013. (PNA)