Emirates, a well-known airline based in Dubai, is confident about the Philippine travel market due to the increasing demand for leisure trips. Abdulla Miran, Emirates Philippines country manager said that the airline has been experiencing consistent growth each year.
There also has been a shift in traveller preference, with more Filipinos opting for premium travel options. ‘We’ve noticed especially after the pandemic that premium travel demand is high in the Philippines. We saw that the product that’s missing is the first-class product’, Miran said.
‘So today, we offer our passengers seamless connectivity through a first-class suite out of Manila to the world’, he added. Air travel increased by 21% in the first nine months, with international passenger numbers rising by 40%, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
The CAB reported that total passenger traffic reached 44.09 million from January to September 2024. This marks a 21.2% rise, much to the surprise of many including Bitcasino players.
On October 20, 2024, Emirates opened its first retail store in Southeast Asia, the Emirates World store, in Manila. This is the airline’s fourth retail location worldwide, following stores in Hong Kong, London, and Nairobi.
Emirates World is an immersive retail store equipped with advanced tech, where customers can plan and book their trips, and buy travel essentials, and souvenirs. Emirates Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer Adnan Kazim said that the new Emirates World Store in Manila aims to offer a complete experience, showcasing the airline’s top products and services.
It gives visitors a preview of the quality of Emirates’ onboard service, setting a high standard for retail experiences not only in the Philippines but also worldwide. The company plans to open more retail stores, with an expected investment of AED 100 million over the next three years.
In 1990, Emirates began operating flights to the Philippines. Today, there are 28 flights weekly, offering around 22,700 seats between Dubai and the Philippines. Emirates and Philippine Airlines have entered into a partnership arrangement allowing the sharing of networks to enhance the flying experience.
Chinese Youngsters Ditch Planes To Travel By Bus And Train
Lin En could have reached his destination in just six hours if he had flown. However, during a trip earlier this year, the 23-year-old chose to take a bus, which took three days to travel from Xinjiang in northwest China to Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.
It wasn’t a luxurious journey—there was no fancy in-bus entertainment, first-class meals, or comfortable seats to make the ride pleasant. Instead, it was a tough experience. Lin endured hours of sitting upright, which caused severe back pain, as he later shared in a vlog on the Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu.
Despite the struggle, Lin continued to take similar trips, using long bus and train rides and he’s not the only one. More young Chinese travellers are choosing these long, tough journeys for their vacations, inspiring many including Bitcasino deposit players.
They call themselves ‘iron butt’ travellers, a nickname that reflects the long hours spent on hard seats, making their bodies feel like they’re turning into metal.
Called ‘tieding’ in Mandarin, the trend has gained widespread attention, with the ‘#ironbutttravel’ hashtag racking up 19.8 million views. Their motto is, ‘Iron butts see the world first’.
The movement is especially popular among young travellers including recent college graduates, who have plenty of time but limited budgets. China’s ongoing economic challenges, including weak consumer spending and high unemployment among youth, have also encouraged them to seek out more affordable ways to travel.
‘The main reason is budget. Iron butt travel lets me visit more places for less money’, a self-identified ‘iron butt’ traveller, 27-year-old Peng Fei, said. Young travellers like Fei still find ways to enjoy themselves, sampling local dishes during stops and making new friends along the journey.
While overnight bus rides are common among backpackers worldwide, Chinese travellers have taken this experience to a whole new level. For Lin’s trip to Astana, his adventure started at 6 AM at a bus station in Xinjiang. With only a few short breaks along the way, he spent 46 hours on the bus.
The travel world is shifting, with more people choosing premium travel for comfort and luxury, while young travellers are taking a completely different path. These trends show how travel is evolving to meet diverse preferences, offering something for everyone.
By Amey MyersAmey, an intrepid traveler and avid blogger, roams the world, absorbing diverse cultures, flavors, and experiences. Her writing captures the essence of her adventures, inspiring others to explore. Amey's infectious passion for travel and storytelling epitomizes a life filled with exploration and adventure.
