The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Friday it expects a significant boost to both leisure and business tourism in the Philippines with the launch of Air Canada’s direct flight between Manila and Vancouver on April 3, 2025.
The new route will create exciting opportunities for tourism and commerce, particularly for Filipino-Canadians, while offering Canadians the chance to explore the Philippines, according to the DOT.
It said with flights scheduled to operate three times a week, the direct route between Vancouver and Manila would provide an annual capacity of 57,216 seats, or an average of 4,768 seats per month.
“Canada, home to nearly 1 million people of Filipino descent, is one of the largest Filipino diasporas in the world. This inaugural Air Canada flight will strengthen cultural ties between our countries and fuel economic growth,” DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said during the launch.
Data showed that as of April 3, 2025, the Philippines welcomed 1.68 million visitors, including 91,671 from Canada.
Canada ranked sixth in tourist arrivals to the Philippines in 2024, contributing $304.32 million to the local economy. The DOT reported a 6.8-percent growth in arrivals from Canada last year.
The new Air Canada non-stop flight between Vancouver and Manila is expected to reduce travel time, cutting the previous 20-hour journey to just 12 to 14 hours, making travel more convenient for both leisure and business travelers.
Air Canada managing director Rocky Lo said the direct flight strengthens Air Canada’s position as the North American airline with the most non-stop destinations in the region.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines David Hartman said the Manila-Vancouver direct route showcases the deep ties both nations and meets the growing demand for travel between North America and the Philippines.
“It will create new opportunities for trade, tourism, and people-to-people connections,” he said.