3 June 2002 HONG KONG - Philippine domestic carrier South East Asian Airlines is targeting foreign teachers in Japan in its efforts to keep a foot in the Japan outbound market despite travel advisories that continue to ban nationals from travelling to parts of the Philippines.
For US$299, travellers can enjoy a month's limitless travel within the airline's network of small off-the-beaten-track islands and lesser explored parts of the Philippines, according to Nick Gitsis, South East Asian Airlines' director.
The airline is targeting the thousands of English teachers on Japan's nationwide JET scheme, who receive a high salary, enjoy 20 to 30 days' holiday per year, and being mostly new to Asia, are keen to explore the region, he explains.
Although South East Asian Airlines originally launched the product six months ago, it postponed its marketing until now because the original launch date coincided too closely with a fresh bout of Abu Sayyaf terrorist attacks.
South East Asian Airlines is now getting ready to attend the next JET teacher conference as new arrivals hit Japan in August, Gitsis said.