20 February 2017, Tel Aviv, State of Israel – Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial met with Cathay Pacific Country Manager for Israel Jonathan Bailey and Managing Director Gideon Thaler on 20 February 2017 to discuss business opportunities with the increasing tourism arrivals between the Philippines and Israel.

Mr. Bailey informed the Philippine Embassy that Cathay Pacific will launch its first flight from Tel Aviv to Manila via Hong Kong on 26 March 2017. Cathay Pacific will start operating 4 flights to the Philippines every week and will possibly increase the flights as the number of Israelis travelling to the Philippines continues to grow.

The Cathay Pacific flight can also serve as an alternative to Israelis who are planning to visit Cebu, Clark, or the northern part of the Philippines as there are available direct flights from Hong Kong to these destinations.

“The start of Cathay Pacific flights is timely as Israel is now the fastest growing tourism market of the Philippines, growing at 42.27% (16,725 tourist arrivals) in 2016. Tourist arrivals are expected to rise significantly this year as the Department of Tourism has made Israel a top priority market with more aggressive tourism campaign programs,” said Ambassador Imperial.

Israel is home to more than 27,000 Filipino caregivers who could benefit from the increasing number of flight options emanating from Tel Aviv to the Philippines.--END--

Philippine Ambassador to Israel Neal Imperial (center) with First Secretary and Consul General Pamela F. Durian-Bailon, Cathay Pacific Israel Country Manager Jonathan Bailey, Cathay Pacific Israel Managing Director Gideon Thaler, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Judy B. Razon.