Cathay Pacific adds five cities to Asia pass

VANCOUVER (CP) - Cathay Pacific Airways says its annual "all-Asia pass" will cover 23 cities in 2007, up from 18 this year. Destinations added are Cebu and Manila in the Philippines; Phuket, Thailand; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, said airline spokesperson Jennifer Pearson.

Other destinations covered by the pass: Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo and Tokyo in Japan; Bali, Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia; Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia; Hong Kong; Bangkok, Thailand; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Karachi, Pakistan; Seoul, South Korea; Singapore; and Taipei, Taiwan.

Travellers can visit up to 23 cities in 21 days, the airline says.

The fare starts at C$1,599, plus taxes. Summer travel costs more.

The pass includes roundtrip travel between Toronto or Vancouver and Hong Kong, and must be booked through a travel agent.

© The Canadian Press, 2006