Philippines
Philippines receives 2.9 mil int’l tourists in H1 2025, -30% YoY.
Latest monthly intl arrivals
486,171
Mar 2025
Recovery vs 2019
68%
Mar 2019: 714,309
YTD Intl Arrivals
5,949,350
No 2024 data
Percent of 2024 Target
77%
of 7.7M target
Source: Intl arrivals - Department of Tourism. Page last updated: 4 Jul 2025.
Latest Travel Industry News
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27-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has imposed a 6 million PHP fine on AirAsia MOVE for allegedly selling tickets at a high rate. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said that this sent a “clear message: the government will not tolerate any form of abuse to Filipino passengers”Source: business.inquirer.net/532698/airasia-move-fined-p6m-for-pricey-tickets
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27-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Mactan Expo Center is tipped to be the venue for the ASEAN Tourism Forum which the Philippines will host in 2026. The centre is scheduled to be completed by Dec 2025Source: cebudailynews.inquirer.net/643952/mactan-expo-center-eyed-for-2026-asean-tourism-confab-hosting
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26-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) 9 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft are now in production at the Airbus Toulouse facility in France. The first delivery is expected in Q4 2025, and the remaining deliveries are expected to start from 2026-2028Source: ttgasia.com/2025/06/26/pal-to-bring-the-philippines-first-a350-1000-to-manila/
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26-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Philippines has welcomed 2,905,363 international tourists from Jan-Jun 2025. The DOT said that it would recalibrate its targets in light of geopolitical uncertainties. The DOT is also coordinating with aviation and transport authorities on fare competitiveness, as well as a Price Competitiveness IndexSource: mb.com.ph/2025/06/26/dot-logs-29-m-tourist-arrivals-in-first-half-of-2025
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24-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe President of the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) said safety concerns are preventing the Philippines from becoming a competitive destination. He added that the Philippines underperforms compared to Thailand and Malaysia in terms of tourist arrivals in 2024. He also highlighted the urgent need to streamline visa processes for East Asian tourists and investors, especially from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan. He added the Philippines should modernise airports and transport links to make tourism services digital-ready to enable a seamless travel experience for visitorsSource: bworldonline.com/economy/2025/06/24/681183/chamber-says-safety-concerns-hurting-phl-appeal-to-visitors/
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24-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe 3rd Central Philippines Tourism Exposition (CPTEX) was held from 20-22 Jun under the theme, “Celebrating Diversity and Shared Culture”. 200 participants, including tourism offices, tour operators, LGUs, and industry stakeholders from Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Negros Island, and Eastern Visayas took part in CPTEX. The event featured B2B sessions, talks on culinary identity, creative and heritage tourism, sales and exhibits, tourism video launches and brand presentationsSource: pia.gov.ph/central-philippines-showcases-vibrant-growth-at-cptex-2025/
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24-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationPhilippine Airlines (PAL) cancelled flights Doha and Riyadh in the Middle East on 24 and 25 Jun following the conflict between Israel and IranSource: business.inquirer.net/532195/pal-cancels-flights-to-middle-east
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24-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationPhilippine Airlines (PAL) will not increase fares despite the conflict in the Middle East and an increase in fuel prices. PAL hopes the conflict in the Middle East will end quickly. The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has an automatic mechanism to assess when airlines can impose a surcharge for factors such as an increase in aviation fuel cost. The PAL CEO said the airfare is determined by market forces, and they need to be competitive with other airlines. They noted that they have been implementing “creative” sourcing for airplane partsSource: philstar.com/headlines/2025/06/24/2452889/no-airfare-hike-pal-hopes-middle-east-conflict-temporary
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23-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Interior Secretary announced plans to commence upgrades of Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) by 2025, with the first phase of the project scheduled for completion in 2027. This phase involves runway upgrades at a cost of $2 billion USD. The upgrades will extend the 2.8km runway to 3.3km, to allow a Boeing 777 to land. The first phase also involves extending road access to the airport from the City of Dreams. SPIA is a partnership between the Cavite government and private investors, consisting of GMR Airports, House of Investments, Cavitex Holdings Inc., the Samsung C&T Corp and MacroAsia Corp. SPIA is expected to cost $11 billion USD and will have 4 runways to accommodate 75 million passengers annually. Once the first phase of SPIA is completed, the airport can accommodate 25 million passengers to support Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). NAIA was built for a 30 million passenger capacity, but it is already 20%-25% overcapacity. He said airlines from India, the UAE, South Korea, Japan, and the US are asking for more flights to ManilaSource: businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/23/sangley-international-airport-begins-contruction-in-25-jonvic/
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23-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationSan Miguel Corp. (SMC) said they will start construction of the new terminal at Caticlan Airport, with the groundbreaking event expected to start in Jun or Jul. SMC aims to complete the construction by the end of 2027. The airport is expected to increase its passenger capacity to 7 million passengers annually. SMC’s infrastructure portfolio includes rehabilitation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the construction of the 740 billion PHP New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project, which is expected to accommodate up to 100 million passengers annually at full capacitySource: business.inquirer.net/531950/new-caticlan-airport-terminal-begins-buildout-by-july-says-dizon
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22-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminals operator, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp, promises better service at the airport following an incident involving an unauthorised taxi that overcharged a passenger for a short trip between the airport terminals. NNIC plans to introduce new measures to allow only authorised vehicles to pick up passengers at the NAIA terminals. NNIC will increase the number of inter-terminal shuttle buses, which run every 15 minutes, to make it faster and more convenient for passengers to transfer between terminalsSource: philstar.com/nation/2025/06/22/2452362/naia-operator-promises-better-experience-passengers
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21-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Philippines announced a 14-day visa-free entry to Taiwanese touristsSource: cebudailynews.inquirer.net/642984/taiwan-welcomes-phs-visa-free-entry-for-tourists
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20-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Transportation Secretary proposed to remove special taxis at airports to prevent overcharging and extortion. Recently, 5 airport police officers were removed from their posts for allegedly extorting taxi drivers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2072660/dizon-wants-special-taxis-at-airports-removed
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20-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundPhilippine President met with Japanese tourism stakeholders during his visit to Osaka, Japan, to boost tourism and improve the travel experiences of Japanese tourists. He said there are 214 weekly flight connections between Japan and the Philippines. The meeting was attended by representative from Japan Tourism Agency (JTA), Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA) Kansai / JTB West Japan Area Representative, Japan Philippines Tourism Council (JPTC), Kansai Regional Division, HIS Co., Ltd., Nippon Travel Agency, Hankyu Travel International Co., Ltd., Kansai Airports, Philippine Airlines (PAL), and Cebu PacificSource: pco.gov.ph/news_releases/pbbm-meets-with-japanese-tourism-stakeholders-vows-to-improve-infrastructure-connectivity-in-ph-for-better-tourism-experience/
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20-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe President visited the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. He said the expo is a “very good opportunity to expand and promote tourism” for the PhilippinesSource: globalnation.inquirer.net/281402/world-expo-2025-very-good-opportunity-to-promote-ph-tourism-marcos
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19-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Department of Tourism (DOT) signed a strategic collaboration with Mastercard during a ceremony in Makati City to boost data-driven destination marketingSource: traveldailymedia.com/philippine-department-of-tourism-teams-up-with-mastercard/
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19-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe tourism industry contributed 8.9% to the Philippine economy in 2024, with Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) reaching 2.35 trillion PHP, +11.2% YoY. In 2024, Outbound tourism expenditure recorded 345.68 billion PHP, +37.5% YoY Domestic tourism expenditure reached 3.16 trillion, +16.4% YoY Inbound tourism expenditure recorded 699.98 billion PHP, +0.4% YoY Internal tourism expenditure, comprising both inbound and domestic tourism expenditure, recorded 3.86 trillion PHP in 2024, +13.1% YoY Employment in the tourism industry reached 6.75 million, +6.1% YoY, with the share of 13.8% in the total employmentSource: psa.gov.ph/content/tourism-contributes-89-percent-philippine-economy-2024
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19-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Secretary of the Department of Tourism questioned the validity of the “HelloSafe Safety Index 2025” by the HelloSafe website, which ranked the Philippines as the least safe country in its list. She added that the website has since removed the Philippines from the list “without clarification or accountability”. However, the DOT Secretary said the list has affected the confidence of foreign travellers and urged them to offer clarificationSource: abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/6/19/tourism-dept-hits-report-saying-philippines-is-least-safe-country-2000
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18-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationThe Philippine Airlines (PAL) has introduced a new booking platform with an integrated new distribution capability (NDC) in partnership with Amadeus. This new platform will allow the passengers to book more of their preferences, such as flight schedules, seat selections, in-flight meals, and other ancillary services. PAL is the latest airline to adopt NDC, joining over 60 airlines. The new platform will be launched in the US, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi ArabiaSource: mb.com.ph/2025/06/18/pal-unveils-new-booking-platform-for-personalized-travel
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17-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundTacloban City hosted the 3rd Central Philippines Tourism Expo (CPTEX) from 20-22 Jun. The event is expected to welcome 200 participants from tourism offices, tour operators, and industry stakeholders across the Central Philippines regions. CPTEX will feature exhibits, B2B meetings, cultural performances, workshops, and fam trips. The event will promote tourism offerings from regions across the Central PhilippinesSource: pia.gov.ph/infinite-escapes-eastern-visayas-hosts-central-philippines-tourism-expo-2025/
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17-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationCebu Pacific Air signed 2 agreements at the Paris Air Show to boost fleet efficiency and operational resilience. The first agreement is a 12-year maintenance agreement with Pratt & Whitney for the service of its Geared Turbofan (GTF) engine fleet. The airline signed another agreement with Lufthansa Systems to deploy the next-generation operational control and crew management solutions from the NetLine suite. The system will improve automation and data-driven decision-making in flight operation, rostering, and disruption managementSource: businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/17/cebu-pacific-inks-agreements-to-ramp-up-expansion-in-asia/
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16-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Bicol Loco Festival, organised by the Legazpi City Government, attracted 500,000 tourists and spectators. The event was held at the former Legazpi City Airport from 14-16 JunSource: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2070843/bicol-loco-festival-draws-500000-spectators
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15-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationChangi, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok lead the list of the Busiest Airports in Southeast Asia in May 2025. Singapore’s Changi Airport recorded 3.59 million passengers Kuala Lumpur International Airport, 3.23 million passengers Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, 3.14 million passengers Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, 3.11 million passengers Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 2.78 million passengers HCMC’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport, 2.24 million passengers Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, 1.78 million passengers Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport, 1.65 million passengers Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport, 1.31 million passengers Makassar’s Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport, 979,000 passengersSource: travelandtourworld.com/news/article/changi-kuala-lumpur-bangkok-lead-the-busiest-airports-in-southeast-asia-for-2025/
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15-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundTaiwan announced a visa-free policy extension to the Philippines from Aug 2025 to Jul 2026. In 2024, 467,157 Filipinos visited Taiwan, +33% YoYSource: businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/15/over-460000-filipinos-visited-taiwan-in-2024-topping-southeast-asian-markets/
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14-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundSingapore secured its position as the world’s leading Muslim-friendly non-OIC travel destination for the 3rd consecutive year in the Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025. GMTI 2025 gave Singapore a score of 71, a 5-point increase YoY. Thailand and the Philippines scored 57 and 53, respectivelySource: travelandtourworld.com/news/article/singapore-ranked-as-the-leading-non-islamic-muslim-friendly-destination-amidst-the-booming-global-surge-in-halal-tourism-surpassing-key-destinations-like-the-united-kingdom-hong-kong-and-thailand/
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14-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Intramuros Administration (IA) introduced a digital gateway app (app.intramuros.gov.ph) to offer information on its historical sites and other tourism-related guides. The app was developed in partnership between IA, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the CIIT College of Arts and Technology. IA welcomed 4 million tourists YTD 2025, +8% vs H1 2024. The app was developed without government funds, and visitors can access links to site booking platforms and tour reservations. In the next phase, a QR code for AR will be added to give an immersive experience to the visitors to explore historical sitesSource: businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/14/app-launched-to-enhance-visitor-experience-in-intramuros/
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12-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundReport from United Nations shows the Philippines’ population is expected to reach 116.8 million in 2025Source: businessmirror.com.ph/2025/06/12/phl-still-among-worlds-most-populous-states-population-to-hit-116-8m/
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12-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationClark International Airport is targeting to surpass 3 million passengers in 2025 following the transfer of turboprop flights and ongoing talks with new airline partners. Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) targets to accommodate 25 million passengers annually as part of its long-term expansion. LIPAD CEO said in the short term, they want to exceed the airport’s pre-pandemic levels of passenger traffic with 4 million and fully utilise the 8 million capacity of the airport’s shell design. LIPAD plans to attract more domestic and international routes supported by infrastructure projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway, which is expected to be operational by 2027-2028. Clark International Airport recorded 2.4 million passengers in 2024, +20% YoY. The weekly flight movements at Clark are expected to increase to 269 from 237 flightsSource: bworldonline.com/corporate/2025/06/12/678722/clark-airport-prepares-for-long-term-expansion-amid-rising-traffic-lipad-says/
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12-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Department of Tourism (DOT) signed an MoU with RunRio, a race organiser, to promote the Philippines as a sports and running tourism hub. The MoU will focus on the TakbuRismo initiative, which aims to turn races into a cultural experience. The partnership until 2028 will allow runners to join various events beyond the usual race day. The DOT Secretary said sporting events in the Philippines offer opportunities for its source market tourists to visit the country. The Philippines recorded a +22% in Australian tourists and +18% from the USSource: onesports.ph/more-sports/article/32875/takburismo-how-running-fuels-philippine-tourism
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11-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) projects the travel and tourism sector in the Philippines to contribute 5.9 trillion to the economy, representing 21% of GDP, in 2025. In WWTC’s Economic Impact Research report, the Philippines’ GDP is expected to record 6-8% growth this year until 2028. The sector is expected to employ 11.7 million by the end of 2025, accounting for 23.8% of all jobs in the country. In 2024, the tourism sector contributed 5.3 trillion PHP to the GDP and accounted for 11.2 million jobs. The sector’s contribution to the GDP is expected to be recorded at +13.5% vs pre-pandemic levels in 2025. International visitor spending is projected to reach 709.2 billion PHP, +2.1% vs pre-pandemic, while domestic visitor spending is expected to reach 4.1 trillion PHP, +9.3% vs pre-pandemic. In 2024, the Philippines recorded 3.6 trillion PHP in spending by domestic visitors and 644.8 billion PHP by international visitors. By 2035, the sector is expected to contribute 9.2 trillion PHP to the Philippines' economy, 19.8% of GDP, and is expected to create 2.5 million jobs, bringing the total jobs in the sector to 14.1 millionSource: bworldonline.com/top-stories/2025/06/11/678401/tourism-projected-to-contribute-p5-9t-to-philippine-gdp/
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11-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundNUSTAR Resort and Casino is increasing its sales efforts to meet occupancy targets despite the drop in tourist arrivals in Cebu and increasing competition. NUSTAR currently has the 376-room Fili Hotel, while the NUSTAR Hotel with 223 rooms is expected to be operational by Jan 2026, in support of its bid to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum. Construction has also been completed on its 400-room Grand Summit HotelSource: ttgasia.com/2025/06/11/nustar-ramps-up-sales-strategy-as-cebu-tourist-arrivals-decline/
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11-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundVice President’s office received the writ of summons issued by the Senate Impeachment Court on 11 JunSource: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2069540/sara-dutertes-office-receives-impeachment-court-summons
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11-Jun-2025 🛬 inboundThe Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said many parts of the Philippines will experience warmer-than-usual weather from Jun-Aug, while Luzon and Mindanao will experience near-to-below average temperatures from Sep-OctSource: newsinfo.inquirer.net/2069717/fwd-warmer-temperature-expected-in-parts-of-ph-in-june-august
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11-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationCotabato Airport, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte, is rehabilitating the Islamic prayer room and improving comfort rooms in the airport. This initiative is part of the efforts by the Bangsamoro Airport Authority (BAA), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and BARMM’s Chief MinisterSource: philstar.com/nation/2025/06/11/2449851/cotabato-airport-facilities-undergoing-rehabilitation
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11-Jun-2025 👨✈️ aviationEmirates introduced a complimentary coach service for economy class passengers travelling to and from Clark International Airport (CRK) from 10 Jun. The service will connect Trinoma, Quezon City with Clark Airport. The passengers must confirm coach booking at least 48 hours in advanceSource: gulfnews.com/business/aviation/emirates-launches-complimentary-coach-service-for-economy-class-passengers-1.500159238
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