Philippines

More than 900,000 people have been evacuated from the Philippines ahead of Typhoon Fung-Wong’s expected landfall on late 9 Aug. Signal No. 5, the highest warning, has been hoisted across many parts of the Philippines. It will be the 25th storm to hit in 2025. 400 domestic and international flights have been cancelled, according to the CAAP

The death toll from Typhoon Kalmaegi has increased to 204, with 109 missing and 156 injured across the Visayas and Mindanao

Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey from 24-30 Sep warns that involuntary hunger increased to 22% vs 16.1% in Jun. Metro Manila reported the highest percentage with 25.7%, followed by Luzon (23.8%) and Mindanao (19.7%)

The President declared a state of national calamity following the damage caused by Typhoon Tino (internationally known as Kalmaegi) and the threat of Supertyphoon Uwan (Fung-wong), which is forecast to enter the Philippines over the weekend. He made this decision following a request from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to speed up procurement of essential goods and allocate emergency funds. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that landfall is “becoming more likely”. The government will continue efforts to assist those affected by the typhoon. As of 6 Nov, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 66 deaths, 26 missing persons, and over 1 million people affected nationwide. But Inquirer found a total of 150 died as of 6 Nov, based on information collected from the local government. The government has allocated 760 million PHP to support the affected provinces and cities

The DOT Secretary has called tourism stakeholders “storytellers of hope” at the launch of the Philippines stand at WTM, saying that tourism is a platform for national recovery and community rebuilding. She also stressed that “sustainability for us is not mere theory, it is our lifeline. We pursue tourism that is people-centered and future-centric, knowing that millions depend on our collective ability to protect and strengthen our destinations for generations to come”

The Philippines’ GDP in Q3 2025 grew 4.0%, below Q2’s 5.5% growth, and a weaker-than-expected performance. The Economic Planning Secretary noted that reaching the bottom end of the government’s target of 5.5-6.5% will be difficult, calling it “shocking” the impact of corruption had on the productive capacity

At least 140 people reported dead and 127 missing following flooding across the Philippines due to Typhoon Kalmaegi, according to the latest tally released on 6 Nov

The Department of Health (DOH) on 6 Nov placed the entire Philippines under “Code Blue” following the damage from Typhoon Tino. DOH deployed health personnel to evacuation centres and temporary health facilities in the affected areas

Southern Cebu gradually resumed tourism activities on 4 Nov, although some destinations remain closed following Typhoon Tino. Oslob, Cebu, has resumed all seawater-related activities in Barangays Tan-awan and Bangcogon after weather conditions improved. Lambug Beach, Badian, reopened to tourists, and the visitors were encouraged to practice proper waste management and respect local guidelines. Tumalog Falls will be closed until further notice. Kawasan Falls and canyoneering activities will remain closed pending cleaning and safety operations

Cebu City has been placed under a state of calamity following the destruction caused by Typhoon Tino. With this declaration, the city government can access 153 million PHP in emergency funds, including 120 million PHP from the Quick Response Fund (QRF) and 33 million PHP for relief and recovery assistance, to implement urgent disaster response and recovery measures. As of 5 Nov, Cebu reported 92 deaths. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) confirmed that Typhoon Tino had exited the Philippines as of 5 Nov

The central bank of the Philippines reported annual inflation at 1.7% in Oct, due to a slow increase in the cost of food and transport, which offset the increase in utility, clothing, and footwear prices. Goldman Sachs Research said they expect the central bank to offset a 25 bp policy rate cut during the Dec 2025 meeting

The Quezon City government launched “Food Crawl Challenge” to encourage visitors and residents to dine in restaurants listed in the new Michelin Guide Philippines in the city. The event will be held from 5-11 Nov. Participants will get a chance to win passes to the QCinema International Film Festival

Oxford Economics published a study titled Capturing High-Quality Tourism in Southeast Asia, in collaboration with the Asia Pacific International Spirits and Wines Alliance (APISWA) and the Alcoholic Beverages Alliance of the Philippines Inc. (ABAPI). The report surveyed 1,800 respondents from China, South Korea, Australia, the UK, and the US. The report stated tourists are willing to pay around $250 USD per person for a premium food and beverage experience

CoStar data shows Cebu hotels’ average occupancy dropped by 10.41% to 47.1% between 1-26 Oct, vs 52.6% in 2024. The hotel occupancy before the earthquake on 30 Sep averaged at 50.2% for Sep. The Tourism Secretary said Cebu is ready ahead of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), TRAVEX and the ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting from 25-30 Jan

The President issued an order to create the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) to oversee the government’s efforts to promote sports tourism

The Coast Guard District Central Visayas (CGDCV) reported that 477 passengers were stranded at ports in the region on 3 Nov, with 21 vessels and 78 rolling cargoes unable to depart. A total of 129 vessels and 12 motorbancas were forced to take shelter due to rough seas. Travel advisories against sea travel were issued in Northern Cebu, Central Cebu, Southern Cebu, Camotes, Western Bohol, and Eastern Bohol

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) revived the Happening on the Green (HOG) festival. The festival was held on 8-9 Nov, highlighting Clark’s cultural heritage, while promoting family-oriented tourism and local enterprise within Luzon island

The Philippine consulate general in New York launched the latest edition of the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour for Filipino-Americans, which will be held from 12-21 Jul 2026. 60 participants took part in the launch event at the Philippine Centre in New York on 23 Oct. The Philippine Consul General to New York said foreign friends of Filipino-Americans can take part in the tour as well

Quezon City and Dumaguete City have joined the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a Film city and Literature city, respectively

42,468 passengers travelled through the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on 1 Nov, adding to the 1 million pax who have previously travelled via PITX for Undas since 27 Oct. They expect 2.1 million pax from 27 Oct-3 Nov

Bohol Governor issued an order to investigate coral vandalisation on an island in Panglao. The Panglao Environment and Natural Resources Office and the Bohol Environment Management Office will conduct a joint investigation into this. Panglao Government has been preparing to reopen the island, after closing down following its dive sites being vandalised in 2024

The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) CEO announced they are likely to reach 4,000 Special Resident Retiree Visas (SSRV) in 2025, an increase from 3,850 in 2024. He said they are looking to get more Europeans, Canadians and American applicants, and they have a good number of applicants in the Asian market. There are 59,000 active foreign retirees in the Philippines, about 85% from Asia, including Chinese (40%), South Korean (20%), Indians (15%), and it also hosts 10% of US retirees, mostly Filipinos who became US citizens. PRA will attend senior-related expos and events in Europe, Canada, and the US

The Michelin Guide was officially launched in the Philippines, with Helm receiving 2 Michelin Stars, and Asador Alfonso, Celera, Gallery by Chele, Hapag, Inatô, Kasa Palma, Linamnam, and Toyo Eatery all receiving One Star. 25 restaurants were selected to receive the Bib Gourmand, whilst 74 had the Michelin Selected distinction

The PHP dropped to 59.20 against the USD, the lowest intra-day trading level in history

The Manjuyod White Sandbar in Negros Oriental has been temporarily closed due to the contamination of the local water supply on 27 Oct. The local authorities are working with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to conduct water quality testing and monitoring. The water discolouration was due to the discharge of wastewater from a nearby distillery company

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) expects peak travel at ports on 30-31 Oct in conjunction with All Saints’ Day

The Davao Tourism Association (DATA) launched the Davao Tourist Passport on 28 Oct during the 2nd DATA Hospitality and Tourism Experience (DATA HTX) at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City. The initiative aims to increase tourism promotions and highlight Davao’s attractions. The tourist passport holders can get special offers such as discounts and special deals. DATA President said the passport will be available by Jan 2026 through selected distribution points and DATA’s Facebook page

CSP Travel and Tours Inc. conducted a Mangrove Planting Activity at Barangay Talima, Olango Island, Cebu, in collaboration with the Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary (OIWS) and the Olango Island Eco-Tour Association (OIETA). 26 participants took part in the event to plant 130 Ceriops tagal seedlings as part of CSP’s #GiveBackToThePhilippines CSR Project

Philippines will host the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Trade and Tourism Fair to support local SMEs and tourism at Ayala Malls Abreeza from 9-11 Nov. This is in conjunction with the 33rd BIMP-EAGA Senior Officials Meeting and Ministerial Meeting. Regional Director of the Department of Trade and Industry said there will be around 50 exhibitors, if each country maximises 6 to 10 booths

The Tourism Minister said 1.59 million foreign visitors entered Malaysia through the Thai-Malaysia border from Jan-Aug 2025, +6% YoY, an increase vs 1.49 million recorded in 2024, and consistent with a steady increase in tourist arrivals via the land border. Bukit Kayu Hitam in Kedah recorded 479,626 entries, Padang Besar in Perlis, 515,903, and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan, 235,526. In 2021, 76,838 people visited through the borders, 1.13 million in 2022, and 2.22 million in 2023 across all border checkpoints in the Thai-Malaysia border. Bukit Kayu Hitam, Padang Besar, and Rantau Panjang account for 2/3 of entries

Malaysia handed over the ASEAN chairmanship to the Philippines, which will be the host in 2026

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) said 23 Philippine sellers secured 842 business appointments, generating 600 million PHP in sales, during ITB Asia 2025, held in Singapore from 15-17 Oct

The Department of Tourism (DOT) assured that Cebu remains safe and open to tourists following the earthquake on 30 Sep. DOT-7 Officer-in-Charge and Regional Director stated that only northern Cebu was affected, and key tourist sites such as Bantayan Island, Malapascua, and the seaports in Santa Fe, Maya, and Kawit continue to operate as usual. She confirmed that Cebu tourism is affected due to the cancellation of bookings. San Remigio tourism establishments are still closed, waiting for safety clearance before reopening. DOT recorded 159 affected tourist destinations, including 37 attractions, 90 accommodations, and 32 other infrastructures

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO stressed that integrated resorts and casinos have become an important component of the tourism and economic recovery for the Philippines. He mentioned this during the Exceed Hospitality 2025 forum at SMX Aura in Taguig City, Tengco. He added that gaming, entertainment, and hospitality sectors are interconnected forces which drive growth, create jobs, and enrich the tourism experience. The gross gaming revenues increased 75% in 2 years, from $3.75 billion USD in 2022 to $6.5 billion USD in 2024

Cebu’s hospitality industry is facing room and event bookings cancellations for Oct 2025 to Q1 2026, due to the recent earthquake incident. The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRACI) said despite the cancellations, its members are operating as usual. HRRACI President assured that Cebu is safe to visit. Industry players reported that occupancy rate and business levels dropped to the lowest level since the pandemic. Hotels in Mactan are operating at a 25%-50% occupancy rate, while Cebu City is operating at 40%-60%. Hotels are taking cost-cutting measures and aggressive marketing strategies to stay afloat. Some HRRACI members are removing non-essential spending and placing employees on leave until the occupancy improves. HRRACI is hopeful that Cebu’s hospitality industry will rebound in early 2026

The Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) welcomed the government decision to reintroduce the eVisa program for Chinese tourists, saying this move will boost the tourism industry. The Philippines welcomed 203,923 Chinese tourists from Jan-Sep 2025

The Philippines welcomed top golf players for the International Series Philippines golf tournament at Sta. Elena Golf Club in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on 25 Oct. The Philippines is trying to grab a share in the golf tourism market, which is expected to generate $9 billion by 2030 in Asia

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and its Indian representative Buzz Travel organised an itinerary training for Indian travel agents as part of a familiarisation initiative in Delhi. The session attracted around 60 Indian travel stakeholders. The session will also be held in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata, with the help of the Embassy and Honorary Consulate General. In 2024, 30.89 million Indians travelled outbound, with 78,000 visiting the Philippines, +10.79% YoY

An economist from Oxford Economics pointed out that visa restrictions and high-profile incidents are the key factors for the drop in visitor arrivals from China to the Philippines. Oxford Economic report shows the Philippines, India, Taiwan, and Thailand were among the poorest-performing tourism sectors in Asia Pacific, with arrivals still below pre-pandemic levels, due to a drop in Chinese arrivals. Oxford Economics’ data shows, Chinese visitors to the Philippines dropped below 10% in 2024 and 2025, down from 20% in 2019. But Oxford Economics noted that the average inflation-adjusted foreign spending per capita in the Philippines recorded nearly $1,500 USD per tourist in 2024, +20% YoY and vs $1,000 USD recorded in pre-pandemic. This is due to more tourists staying longer than average, which leads to higher spending. The economist added that Chinese tourist arrivals in Asia are unlikely to increase in 2026 due to a continued preference for domestic travel and forecasts indicating limited real income growth in China. However, business travel from China may rise, driven by supply chain realignments and the offshoring of Chinese manufacturing operations

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and TikTok signed an MoU for a collaboration to provide training to selected MSMEs to create content to promote their products and services under a new partnership called “Content Camp: Level Up with TikTok”. The initial batch will involve 50 MSMEs from Metro Manila and Cebu, which were affected due to an earthquake on 30 Sep. The pilot program on a countrywide scale is expected by Nov

The Philippines launched a travelogue on Muslim-friendly tourism on 21 Oct. The Malaysian ambassador, the Brunei ambassador, and the Economic Officer of the Saudi Arabian Embassy took part in the launch event. In 2024, tourists from Islamic and Muslim-populated countries reached 613,329 people, +23.7% YoY vs 496,724 in 2023. The Philippines will take part in the 2026 Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai, UAE, to attract more Middle Eastern tourists. In 2025 so far, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) generated 1.18 billion PHP in sales leads, +233% YoY

The Malaysian government has approved a 50km border wall along the Kelantan state border with Narathiwat, Thailand, with a RM1.5 billion allocation, to prevent cross-border crimes and flooding from the Golok River. The wall will be built between Tumpat and Tanah Merah

Thousands evacuated from the Pacific side of the Philippines on 18 Oct due to Typhoon Fengshen making landfall, with no casualties reported or serious damage

The Philippines recorded 4.33 million foreign tourist arrivals from Jan-Sep 2025, -2.37% YoY. Key markets like South Korea, China, and Taiwan posted double-digit drops. However, domestic tourism remains strong, with Leechiu Property Consultants projecting 58.7 million local trips. Hotel Sales and Marketing Association President said the association’s September Online Sale (SOS) throughout Sep has generated 122.5 million PHP for the last 5 years to 2024

The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) President said their members are reporting losses worth millions following cancellations for both group and individual bookings after the Cebu earthquake. The visitors are cancelling their trips over safety concerns if another earthquake hits Cebu or concerns over the cancellation of flights or boat trips. Members of the Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CATG) have also reported a drop in the number of tours following the earthquake. Officials from Santa Fe, Bantayan, said tourism destinations and infrastructures are not affected, and tourism activities are still open as usual

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported 76 deaths following the 30 Sep earthquake in Cebu. NDRRMC also reported that 216,962 families or 748,025 individuals from 260 barangays in Central Visayas were affected by the earthquake

Cebu Pacific recorded 1.83 million passengers in Sep 2025, +2.6% YoY; comprising 1.38 million domestic passengers, +1.3% YoY, and 446,000 international passengers, +6.7%. Cebu Pacific’s seat load factor (SLF) reached 81.1%, lower than the 82.6% recorded in 2024. Domestic SLF dropped to 83.7% vs 84.4% in 2024. International SLF recorded at 73.9% vs 77.1% in 2024 The airline recorded 19.95 million, +13.9% YoY, passengers from Jan-Sep 2025. Domestic passengers at 14.88 million, +12.7% YoY, and 5.07 million, +17.7% domestic passengers. The SLF reached 84.8% and the seat capacity increased to 23.62 million seats, +84.4%

The Chengdu Municipal Bureau of Tourism organised roadshows and travel fairs in Malaysia and Singapore. In Kuala Lumpur, Chengdu featured giant pandas and the Sichuan opera face-changing performance. Chengdu also took part in ITB Asia in Singapore

Pulse Asia survey results show 54% Filipinos said controlling inflation, and 51% said fighting corruption, were the important concerns for the people

Radisson will expand its portfolio in the Philippines with the opening of LIME Resort Bohol with 138 rooms by end-2025, the first Radisson Individuals Premier property in Southeast Asia and the broader Asia Pacific region

Philippine tourism won 6 awards at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania Gala 2025. Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for the 7th consecutive time Asia’s Leading Beach Destination for the 8th time Asia’s Leading Island Destination. Boracay won Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination Clark Freeport Zone as Asia's Leading Meetings and Conference Destination The Department of Tourism received Asia’s Leading Tourist Board In other news, The Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka received the Silver Award for Exhibition Design

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts has certified all 13 of its properties as 100% Muslim-friendly accommodation as part of its efforts to diversify its audience. Through the Muslim-friendly declaration, Megaworld already recorded at least 20 million PHP in sales. Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels said there is a growing demand from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, and the local Muslim communities. They currently manage 7 brands with 8,500 rooms, and they will boost their offerings with the completion of the Mactan Expo Centre in Cebu with a capacity of 2,500 people

Mapua University has launched the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, which will offer new degree programs in BS Tourism Management and BS Hospitality Management. The university will partner with Seda Hotels and Ayala Hospitality as industry partners, to ensure the curriculum is aligned with the needs of the industry

8 people were killed in the earthquakes off Mindanao on 10 Oct with an aftershock of 6.7 impacting the same area 10 hours later

The Department of Tourism said they didn’t detect any major impact on tourism sites and establishments in Mindanao from earthquakes which struck on 10 Oct. DOT said local government units and tourism offices are inspecting and monitoring for any aftershocks, landslides, and infrastructure issues