Search Results forPhilippines
VFS: visa applications from Philippines up 8% in 2025
VFS Global reports that visa application volumes from the Philippines rose by eight percent year on year in 2025. The increase is attributed to renewed traveller confidence in exploring global destinations which, for Filipinos, includes Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK. According to VFS Global’s regional head in North Asia Atul Lall: “This healthy rise in visa applications from the Philippines last year indicates that travellers' confidence has been restored and people are exploring their favourite global destinations again. We are confident that this positive travel momentum will sustain in 2026 as well. We urge applicants planning to travel overseas from the Philippines to apply for their visas in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.” Personalised services help spur on numbers Strong demand for personalised services, designed to enhance convenience for visa applicants, continued to be a defining trend in 2025 visa application patterns. Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), a service that empowers applicants to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice, registered a significant 62 percent year-on-year increase in 2025. Similarly, the demand for Premium Lounge, an optional service which provides end-to-end personalised assistance with visa application submission from the comfort of a lounge, is rising with the rise in application volumes. Another service named Prime Time, which allows visa application submission outside of working hours and even on weekends, has seen a healthy adoption since the pandemic. Lall remarked: “We continue to see a healthy adoption of personalised services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge by discerning travellers post the pandemic due to health considerations. These services enhance the overall visa application experience for applicants by avoiding the need for them to stand in a queue. We foresee higher demand for such premium services prioritising safe travel this year as well.”
Philippines seeks more arrivals from North America, China, India, & MidEast
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) plans to expand its promotions budget for several key and emerging markets in 2026, including the United States, South Korea, Canada, China, India and the Middle East. Tourism secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT intends to fully recover the South Korean market, which slipped to 1.34 million last year from 1.45 million in 2024. She added that the DOT will also capitalise on the US as one of the country’s most reliable markets to pull the arrival numbers for 2026. With regard to Canada, the DOT is optimistic that the new connections through Air Canada would bring in more Canadian tourists into the country. 2025 in a nutshell The Philippines recorded 6.4 million foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos in 2025, generating an estimated PHP694 billion in tourism receipts. Of this number, South Korea remains the top market, followed by the US with 1.32 million visitors, Japan with 469,521, Australia with 359,646, and Canada with 333,136. China ranked sixth with 237,101 while India ranked 11th with 104,994 visitors from January to December 2025. Into the east Looking ahead, the DOT will also ramp up promotional activity in China as the Philippines eases its visa policy for Chinese nationals, allowing them visa-entry of up to 14 days in the country. Frasco remarked: “China has been challenging, to say the least. So, for China specifically, we’re working with our Beijing and Shanghai offices plus the private sector. We will have a very specific targeted campaign in certain cities even as we work with the airlines to recover the pre-pandemic flights.” It was noted that inbound flights to the Philippines from China are only up to 50 percent of their pre-pandemic totals, so the new visa policy stands to be of good help. Likewise, the Philippines sees promising growth from the Middle East, particularly from the United Arab Emirates market whose leisure travelers coming into the country have increased significantly over the past year. UAE flag carrier Emirates is also requesting increased slots from the UAE to Manila as well as the retention or expansion of their Cebu and Clark flights.
Hotel101-Manila is the official residence for Miss World Philippines and Mr World Philippines 2026
Hotel101 Group recently signed an agreement with ALV Pageant Circle, organiser of the Miss World Philippines and Mr. World Philippines pageants. That said, the hotel will serve as both the official residence for the candidates, as well as the official venue for the events. Each candidate will stay in the hotel’s signature HappyRoom complete with modern amenities. In addition, the hotel’s well-maintained facilities such as the swimming pool and restaurant, and its central location make it the ideal home for the candidates leading up to the event. Supporting beauty with a purpose Hotel101 Group general manager Charley Magabo said following the signing: “Our partnership with the Miss World and Mr. World pageants is indicative of our shared mission to showcase the best of Filipino talents on the global stage. Hotel101-Manila is looking forward to providing comfort, convenience, and our signature brand of Filipino hospitality to the candidates.” ALV Pageant Circle president Arnold Vegafria likewise declared that the Miss World Philippines Organization is excited to partner with Hotel101. Vegafria said: "We look forward to many purposeful collaborations as we strive to live up to our Beauty With A Purpose advocacy, and as we align our visions for a mutually beneficial partnership that will extend beyond this pageant season.”
Philippines welcomed 6.4 million arrivals in 2025
The Philippines reports that it welcomed a total of 6.4 million arrivals as of 31st December 2025. The total covers both foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos who collectively generated a total of PHP694 billion in tourism receipts. Per the statement released by the Department of Tourism (DOT) based on data from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), foreigners made up 5,940,975; the total includes arrivals from both airlines and cruises. While sizable, the total number of foreign arrivals fell significantly short of the 8.4 million projected by the DOT in early 2025. Reasonable outcomes While arrival numbers have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, the DOT said the outcome was achieved despite global and domestic challenges, including travel alerts from key markets and fiscal constraints. The agency said tourism performance should not be measured by arrivals alone, citing strong domestic travel, value creation and job generation. Guided by the National Tourism Development Plan 2023–2028, the DOT said it remains focused on improving connectivity, safety, workforce skills and service standards.
ATPI Philippines is a league apart in marine travel management
Specialty Travel Agency of the Year for Marine Travel at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards in Singapore. Yvette Araullo, Managing Director, ATPI – Philippines (right), receiving the award for Specialty Travel Agency of the Year for Marine Travel at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards in Singapore. ATPI Philippines has been awarded the Specialty Travel Agency of the Year - Philippines for Marine Travel at the prestigious TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 - Asia. The recognition underscores the company’s over 30 years of marine travel know-how built to exacting demands and its industry-leading solutions and services that keep vessels moving and seafarers protected. The award was presented in a category recognising excellence in niche and specialised travel, honouring organisations that deliver tailored solutions for highly specific industry needs. The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Asia represent the pinnacle of excellence in the travel industry, spotlighting organisations that consistently raise industry standards and enhance customer experiences through innovation, sustainable practices and service excellence. The award solidifies ATPI’s standing as a global leader in marine travel and logistics. “This award reflects ATPI Philippines’ long-standing reputation as a trusted partner to the shipping industry, blending global capability with local expertise and one that acts as a strategic extension of maritime operations,” said Yvette Araullo, Managing Director - ATPI Philippines. “We continue to invest through enhanced data visibility, flexible travel solutions, and strengthened partnerships and marine infrastructure whilst relying on advanced technology and highly skilled Filipino maritime specialists to ensure seamless global support across every time zone.” Supporting the world’s leading maritime workforce The Philippines ranks number one globally in supplying maritime crew, and ATPI Philippines plays a pivotal role in supporting this critical workforce. ATPI’s 24/7 World Support Centre in Makati is at the heart of the world’s largest seafarer talent pool, and its ability to balance operational efficiency with seafarer welfare sets the company apart in marine travel management. ATPI’s real-time data and technology-driven solutions are also best positioned to meet the demands of ship operators. These include proprietary breakthrough solutions such as the Traveler Tracking System, CrewHub and CrewLink, all of which offer seamless end-to-end management of crew travel. Together, these innovations push the maritime crew travel industry far beyond traditional practices, introducing groundbreaking solutions that address not only cost and compliance but also sustainability and seafarer wellbeing. In a high-stakes environment, ATPI Philippines’ 24/7 team blends cutting-edge technology, personalised service, and robust operational capabilities to manage intricate crew changes, time-critical itineraries, and large-scale operations. This results in a 98% marine client retention rate, up to 20% year-on-year savings, smarter crew rotation strategies, faster workflows, and high client satisfaction. In working with customers, ATPI Philippines identified opportunities to optimise booking behaviour across high-expense ports. By combining preferential marine fares with evidence-based practice changes, dedicated customers achieved a 17% reduction in cost that has been maintained annually. The company’s analysis of another leading shipping company’s Philippines crew change patterns saw the latter strategically shift their off-signing activities from North and South America to Asia, leading to Asian off-signers increasing by 8% year-over-year from January to September 2025 and delivering both cost savings and improved operational efficiency. “The Specialty Travel Agency of the Year - Philippines for Marine Travel award is a testament to ATPI Philippines’ long-term impact on the way the maritime industry now approaches crew travel. Clients are increasingly adopting ATPI’s people-first itinerary design standards that advocate seafarer wellbeing, gradually shifting industry expectations away from cost-driven decisions toward holistic crew welfare, which in turn delivers tangible safety benefits that extend across entire fleets,” said Ali Hussain, Regional Managing Director, ATPI Asia. To ensure ATPI Philippines stays ahead of the industry, the company will deepen their sector specialisation, invest in the latest AI and data-driven technology and expand end-to-end crew change capabilities to further streamline client operations whilst continuing to focus on long-term value for shipowners, operators, and the crews who keep global trade moving. ATPI was acquired by Direct Travel in September 2025, strengthening their position with expanded global resources and technology infrastructure across a combined travel volume of over US$6b. It also bolsters ATPI Philippines’ capabilities whilst preserving local advantages: fast response times, cultural fluency and strong port authority relationships that ensure compliance, efficiency, and a better crew experience. The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 - Asia is presented by Travel Daily Media Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. For more information on the awards programme, you may contact Danica Avila at (+65) 3158 1386 or danica@traveldailymedia.com.
Philippines promotes Sogod Bay as global dive destination
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is positioning Sogod Bay in Southern Leyte as a rising global dive destination following a showcase of the area’s underwater attractions at Salon de la Plongée 2026, one of the world’s biggest diving expos. DOT regional director for the Eastern Visayas Karina Rosa Tiopes declared in a statement released on Monday, 12th January, that the international exhibition held from the 8th to the 11th of this month gave the region a strategic platform to directly engage the global dive market and attract more foreign dive tourists. Tiopes said: “This is the second time that we have joined Salon de la Plongée. Our main goal is to expand our reach into the dive market and ultimately increase arrivals of dive enthusiasts.” She further explained that Sogod Bay’s participation underscores the country’s commitment to developing sustainable and high-quality dive tourism, whilst positioning the destination as a must-visit destination within the Philippines’ diverse marine landscape. Active engagement The Sogod Bay promotion was conducted through the DOT Philippines Pavilion, where the spotlight was cast on its rich marine biodiversity. Key dive stakeholders from Eastern Visayas also participated in the event, including representatives of Sogod Bay Scuba Resort and Peter’s Dive Resort, who engaged with visitors and provided firsthand information on the region’s unique underwater attractions. Following the event, DOT officials expressed optimism that the exposure in Paris will translate into increased international arrivals and stronger recognition of Sogod Bay as one of the Philippines’ next top dive hotspots.
Philippines’ Hundred Islands National Park reports over 377,000 guests in 2025
Officials at the Hundred Islands National Park in the northern Philippines report that the park drew in 377,968 tourists in 2025. The total was further broken down as 366,228 domestic tourists, and 11,740 foreign guests. Most tourists visited in April and May, with over 65,000 arrivals each month over the course of the year. Located in Alaminos City, Pangasinan, the park generated a total PHP43.8 million in income despite a slight 2.1 percent drop from the previous year. City tourism officer Miguel Sison attributed this relatively minor decrease to weather disturbances in the latter half of the year. Ongoing marketing and maintenance Assistant tourism officer Rosalie Aruelo declared in the vernacular: “Promotions and marketing are ongoing, along with the maintenance of existing sites.” Likewise, the park introduced a number of new attractions in the past year, including a Bonsai Garden on Pilgrimage Island and various water activities. The city also looks forward to the opening of the PHP249.8-million Sky Garden project, a flagship development expected to boost tourism and create jobs.
Tourism targets vs. reality: Why the Philippines keeps missing the mark
In September 2025, the Philippines’ Department of Tourism boldly forecast earnings of over US$45 billion by the end of the year, along with the ambitious target of 8.4 million foreign arrivals. However, as the smoke cleared after the festivities of New Year’s Eve, official reports pointed out that the country failed to meet both targets: clocking in just 5.6 million arrivals as of 31st December. That’s a shortfall of up to 33 percent from the target projected early in 2025 and with that comes a significant shortfall in terms of tourism earnings. Now: how is it that a country whose tourism campaigns have long numbered among the most visible in the world continues to struggle to draw in visitors from overseas? For a Filipino like myself who happens to travel abroad for work, it isn’t so much a question of visibility but more a matter involving unrealistic expectations. Are the targets attainable? One of the things I have noticed throughout my coverage of the regional tourism scene is that other nations tend to be more conservative when it comes to setting arrivals targets and revenue goals. In the case of our regional neighbours Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, they tend to underpromise, then deliver results in spades. The Philippines, however, tends to set lofty goals and ends the year with a shortfall that has caused its Presidents to call people on the carpet; alas, several regimes have passed and no one has yet to give an answer to properly explain why the tourism sector never seems to hit its targets. But, as an intrepid traveller myself, I have only this to ask: Maybe we’re looking at the wrong end of the equation? After all, we have not skimped on marketing and advertising, but we’ve obviously cut corners where the important things are concerned; namely infrastructure, human resources, and accessibility. Indeed, I need to quote veteran Filipino journalist / columnist Boo Chanco verbatim at this point: “The DOT folks obviously don’t know what they are doing. Before making bold targets, any professional marketing person would make sure it is attainable and that they will not embarrass their principal if they fail.” If you build it, they will come I speak as a former advertising professional when I say you need to have something in place before you sell anything. Even for real estate pre-selling, they usually have an initial structure or an existing property to serve as proof of concept to draw in potential buyers. In terms of tourism promotion, selling the destination involves actually having something or someplace to sell: a properly maintained attraction, for instance; a historic province whose attractions are curated by experts, perhaps. While Philippine destinations do have the standard run of attractions and accommodations, foreign travellers have remarked that some are not well-maintained, often on the verge of complete ruin or badly in need of care and repair. At the same time, given the ongoing fiasco involving the Department of Public Works and Highways, transportation infrastructure throughout the country is in a very poor state. Given how the Philippines is an archipelago, you would think that inter-island travel would have been made more convenient by now; unfortunately, the structural integrity of key bridges is currently under scrutiny, and domestic travel options over water tend to put travellers off due to safety reasons, as well as scarce availability and the lack of speed. That essentially gives one key answer as to why travellers aren’t keen on coming to the Philippines: it’s hard to get around due to the transportation issue, good and even modest accommodations are challenging to find, and attractions tend to lose their glow once a traveller sees them in person. Banking on the wrong markets, perhaps? Historically, China has been the Philippines’ largest market in terms of foreign arrivals to the country. Prior to the pandemic, Chinese travellers would come to the country for both business and pleasure, resulting in billions in revenues per annum. Since the country reopened in 2022, however, the number of Chinese arrivals in the country has been slow to return to pre-2020 levels. The number of Chinese nationals who came to the Philippines in 2019 totalled around 1.74 million; as of end-2025, the number has dwindled to but 262,144 travellers. It is interesting to note that, as of 31st December 2025, China ranked sixth among the top ten nations contributing to tourist arrivals in the Philippines, standing well behind South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada. The Philippines has been actively courting the Chinese market through roadshows and the participation of the DOT in key events like ITB China, but perhaps the country needs to look elsewhere for guests, and the recent spike in arrivals from South Korea and Australia needs to be studied carefully. (It should be noted at this point that, while the number of travellers coming in from North America are significant, the bulk of the numbers are from Filipino-Americans or naturalised American or Canadian citizens visiting their home country.) Throw in the ongoing diplomatic / political tensions between the Philippines and China, and the course of prudence will certainly involve looking to other markets. Points to ponder Admittedly, we cannot solve the issue of dwindling tourist arrivals overnight; but those in authority need to consider the following points if things are to change: Take a closer look at what exactly we need for better tourism Rather than the piecemeal approach to solving problems, it would be best to sit down, take stock of what the country currently has, make note of what it lacks, and plan from there. Seeing the big picture is essentially like looking at a jigsaw puzzle: you see the missing pieces immediately, then find ways by which to fill those voids with the right facilities, equipment, and even people; Expand their horizons in terms of source markets I’ll be blunt: China is not the be-all and end-all of source markets despite their massive population. Doing roadshows in other countries piques the interest of both regional and global neighbours, and offering a showcase that highlights the best that the Philippines has to offer (as well as what can’t be found elsewhere) makes for a strong come-on to potential visitors; Infrastructure is the key to long-term success By infrastructure, we aren’t exactly talking about new attractions or even big-name hotels. It is, perhaps, time to go back to the basics: build better and safer roads; ensure the reliability of bridges between provinces; properly implement rules and regulations for land, sea, and air travel; and also make it a point to properly operate all points of entry or exit into the country. I’ve often said that an airport (or even a seaport) gives travellers their first and last impressions of a country and its people. A properly running facility ensures that their initial and final impressions are good ones that will make them look forward to coming back; an Bank on your people and they can make bank Good infrastructure is nothing without good people. One of the primary complaints that foreign travellers have against the Philippines is the perceived ineptitude of officials and staff at major entry points. Language skills need to be improved, along with relevant skills for interpersonal communication, as well as basic courtesy. The Philippines has long been known for its hospitality, but this has been tarnished over time; perhaps it is time for local tourism and hospitality professionals to brush up on their skills and help the country come out shining.
Jetstar Launches First Direct Brisbane–Cebu Flights: New Gateway from Queensland to One of the Philippines’ Most Beautiful Islands
Jetstar has launched its inaugural Brisbane to Cebu service, creating the first and only direct air link from Australia to one of the Philippines’ most spectacular island destinations. The seasonal route connects Queenslanders to Cebu’s white-sand beaches, world-class diving and vibrant island culture in just over six hours, making the heart of the central Philippines more accessible than ever before. The new service, which began on 3 December 2025, operates from December to May with up to four flights a week at peak, reflecting strong demand from both Australian holidaymakers and the Filipino community. Together with Jetstar’s recently launched Perth–Manila flights, the route significantly strengthens air links between Australia and the Philippines and opens up a broader range of itineraries that combine cosmopolitan cities with idyllic islands. This launch is part of Jetstar’s wider 2025 growth strategy, which has seen 13 new domestic and international routes added across the network, including connections to Rarotonga and Queenstown. The Brisbane–Cebu service is operated by new-generation Airbus A321LR aircraft, supporting greater range and efficiency while enhancing the onboard experience for travellers heading to the tropics. Brisbane Airport CEO Gert‑Jan de Graaff highlighted that the addition of Cebu brings Brisbane’s international network to 35 destinations, giving Queenslanders direct access to experiences such as canyoneering at Kawasan Falls, Moalboal’s famous sardine run and the Philippines’ renowned sunsets. The route also offers a convenient new option for Queensland’s sizeable Filipino community to reconnect with friends and family while boosting tourism and business links between the two regions. With the service timed to coincide with the busy Christmas and summer peak, Jetstar expects to carry more than two million passengers to and from Queensland over December and January and encourages travellers to plan ahead and arrive early at the airport. For Australians seeking a seamless, one‑flight journey to one of Asia’s most beautiful island destinations, the new Brisbane–Cebu route is set to become a standout choice.
Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT)
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Philippines
Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu – Philippines
Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Punta Engaño Mactan Island, Cebu Philippines
24/7 Customer Philippines, Inc.
Philippines
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