Pope Francis' upcoming 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, set
to be his longest trip yet, has elicited varied responses from
travellers in the Philippines, one of Asia's most predominantly Catholic
countries.
The 87-year-old pontiff will embark on a journey spanning over 20,000
miles across Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore
from 2 to 13 September 2024. This ambitious itinerary, involving seven
flights, marks the most extensive international trip of his 11-year
pontificate.
Despite the significance of the papal visit, travel agencies in the
Philippines report mixed interest in tour packages. Rajah Travel
Philippines initially offered a five-day, four-night package priced at
US$785, which included accommodation at Hotel V Bencooolen and visits to
iconic churches. However, the agency's president and CEO, Aileen
Clemente, revealed that they had to withdraw their block room bookings
due to "a lack of takers".
Clemente explained, "Without these reservations, we would be forced to charge higher, of course."
Contrasting reports came from Pan Malayan Express, where tours
manager Yolly C Duran told Travel Weekly that "interest was high, but
due to limited slots not all could be accommodated" for a similar US$785
package.
Candy Lehmann, a partner at Blue Horizons Travel and Tours and
Kirschner Asia, attributed the low awareness of the Pope's trip to
insufficient preparation time, which hindered their ability to alert
customers effectively.
On a more positive note, Gotravel Philippines reported quick sales
for their US$285 four-day, three-night package. Senior travel consultant
Kathy Co clarified that this offer included stays in a three-star hotel
but did not cover tickets to the Papal Mass.
Travel agents in Manila agreed that the slow response from the local
market was not due to a lack of interest. They pointed to Pope Francis'
first pastoral visit to the Philippines in 2015, which drew an estimated
six to seven million Filipinos to his Mass at Luneta Park.
Co of Gotravel Philippines speculated on the reasons behind the mixed
response, saying, "Perhaps because Singapore is close to the
Philippines, they don't mind taking the risk and going DIY."
The papal visit includes significant events across the four
countries. In Indonesia, Pope Francis will meet with the country's
President and deliver a speech to political leaders at the Presidential
Palace. He will also visit Jakarta's Cathedral of Our Lady of the
Assumption and celebrate Mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
In Papua New Guinea, the Pope will visit ministries caring for street
children and persons with disabilities, address political authorities,
and preside over Sunday Mass at Port Moresby's Sir John Guise Stadium.
East Timor, which is over 97% Catholic, will see Pope Francis
visiting children with disabilities and presiding over Mass at the
Esplanade of Taci Tolu.
The Pope' tour will then conclude in Singapore. This trip marks Pope
Francis' first international journey in 2024, following recent
health-related cancellations of public appearances, including his last
planned foreign visit to Dubai.