Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco will lead discussions on expanding air travel and forging tourism agreements during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to India.
As part of the president’s trade and investment mission, Frasco will meet with Indian counterparts to push for direct flights and strengthen tourism cooperation. These efforts are aligned with the government’s goal of boosting economic and people-to-people ties with India.
The top items on her agenda include negotiations with executives from Air India, the country’s flagship airline, and IndiGo, its largest budget carrier.
The meetings will focus on establishing direct routes between India and the Philippines to make travel more accessible for Indian tourists and to facilitate business and leisure mobility.
Frasco is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to explore formal cooperation agreements and joint promotion strategies. These initiatives aim to position the Philippines as a key destination for Indian travelers.
More meetings are planned with stakeholders from India’s tourism, hospitality, and travel sectors to promote the Philippines as a film, leisure and cultural destination. She will also engage with the National Film Development Corporation Limited (NFDC) to explore partnerships in film tourism and content collaborations.
A recent grant of visa-free privileges to Indian nationals is expected to support these tourism initiatives.
“The Department of Tourism is committed to unlocking the vast potential of the Indian travel market through stronger connectivity and meaningful partnerships,” Frasco said.
“We are actively pursuing direct flights and formal travel agreements that will open doors for more Indian tourists, while creating jobs and livelihood opportunities for Filipinos,” she said.
