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Candice Iyog, VP for Marketing and Distribution of
Cebu Pacific Air and Michelle Curran, Smart’s Vice President of Data and
International Services
|
Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc.
(Smart) and the Philippines' leading airline, Cebu Pacific Air (PSE:CEB), have
signed a strategic partnership agreement that will enable tourists visiting the
country to stay connected with their friends and family back home, through the
country's largest broadband network.
Beginning December 1 2014, passengers aboard CEB'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.
The deal 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.
High-speed mobile broadband
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 partnership with Cebu Pacific is the latest in
Smart's continuous efforts to provide ultrafast mobile broadband connectivity
to all users in the country that further fuels the growth of its broadband
business, which recorded a strong 12% jump to P10.2 billion for the first nine
months of the year.
While in the country, foreign travelers will be
able to experience the ultrafast mobile connection provided by Smart Bro using
the Cebu Pacific Fun Data SIM. Backed by more than 10,000+ 4G (LTE/HSPA) sites
all around the country, users will be able to stay connected while frolicking
in the white sand beaches of Boracay, exploring the lakes and limestone cliffs
in Palawan, or enjoying the majestic view of Mayon Volcano in Albay, among many
others.
For flight bookings and information, guests can
visit www.cebupacificair.com or
call (02)7020-888 or (032)230-8888. The latest seat sales and details may also
be found on Cebu Pacific Air's official Facebook and Twitter (@cebupacificair)
pages. For more information on Smart Bro's latest deals and offers, visit
smart.com.ph/bro or follow Smart's Facebook and Twitter (@SMARTCares) accounts.
Source: Cebu Pacific
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