The Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledged the potential impact of stricter visa requirements within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on inbound tourism particularly from China.
“While we understand the policy direction of the Department of Foreign Affairs [DFA] regarding visa issuance, particularly for security reasons, stricter requirements will pose challenges in attracting more Chinese tourists,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco at the sidelines of the first Philippine Tourism and Hotel Summit Friday.
The Philippines previously enjoyed a liberalized visa policy within ASEAN, facilitating travel for tourists. Recent reviews, in light of the ongoing investigation of a supposed Chinese national posing as Filipino citizen, may lead to additional requirements for certain nationalities.
The DOT said despite the potential challenges, it remains focused on attracting international visitors.
The department is actively promoting tourism in traditional markets like South Korea, the US and Japan, while also expanding reach to new opportunities in India and the Middle East.
The DOT said visitor receipts, not just arrival numbers, are a crucial metric for tourism success.
Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) show that the tourism direct gross value added (TDGVA) hit a record P2.09 trillion in 2023, a 47.9 percent increase from 2022’s P1.41 trillion. This was also the highest TDGVA ever recorded since data collection began in 2000.
The PSA reported that the tourism sector employs 6.21 million Filipinos, a substantial increase from over 5 million in 2022.
The DOT said it continues its global marketing efforts, including travel campaigns in China. Group tours and cruise tourism from China are still ongoing, it said.