How Philippines Is Boosting the Travel Industry with New Visa-Free Entry Policy for 156 Countries Including Gulf, Schengen, CIS and ASEAN Nations?
Philippines’ visa-free entry for 156 countries boosted tourism, attracting diverse visitors and increasing arrivals through key international airports.Philippines is experiencing a remarkable surge in tourism, driven by the implementation of a visa-free entry policy for citizens of 156 countries.
This initiative has positioned the country as an increasingly attractive destination for global travelers, facilitating easier access and boosting international arrivals.
Key international airports, including Manila International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Clark International Airport, have seen significant increases in visitor numbers.
This policy not only enhances the Philippines’ tourism revenue but also underscores its commitment to welcoming visitors from diverse regions.
Top Markets
Visa-free entry has been granted to South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and numerous other nations, positioning the Philippines as an increasingly attractive destination.
By simplifying the entry process, the country aims to draw in tourists from diverse regions, ultimately increasing tourism revenue.
Age Group
With visa-free access, travelers from various age groups are expected to contribute to the influx.
Young adults aged 25-34 years, who form a substantial portion of the visitor demographic, are particularly anticipated to take advantage of the visa-free policy.
Similarly, middle-aged travelers aged 35-54 years are also likely to find the new policy beneficial, leading to a more diverse age range among visitors.
Sex
Gender distribution among tourists is expected to show a significant rise in both male and female travelers.
Historically, male visitors have comprised 54.19 percent of total arrivals, while female visitors have accounted for 45.81 percent.
With the introduction of visa-free entry, a balanced increase in arrivals from both genders is anticipated.
Purpose of Visit
The primary purpose of visit under the visa-free scheme is likely to remain Holiday/Pleasure, which previously accounted for 73.85 percent of the total visits.
However, visits to friends and relatives, business trips, and other purposes such as education, conferences, health, official missions, and incentives are also expected to see an uptick.
Main Airport Gateways
Manila International Airport served as the country’s main gateway, welcoming 0.3828 visitors, which accounted for 66.66 percent of the total air travelers arrivals.
The Mactan-Cebu International Airport received 104,439 tourists, making up 18.19 percent of the total share, while arrivals at Clark International Airport reached 35,653 or 6.21 percent.
Additionally, Bohol-Panglao International Airport recorded 22,403 arrivals (3.90 percent), Kalibo International Airport had 18,971 arrivals (3.30 percent), Caticlan International Airport saw 7,666 arrivals (1.34 percent), Davao International Airport had 2,310 arrivals (0.40 percent), and Iloilo International Airport had 3 arrivals.
Philippines Airline Performance
Manila International Airport also serves as a hub for PAL Express and Philippine Airlines.
The Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, registered a net income of USD 0.379 billion in 2023, reflecting a 92 percent increase from the USD 0.197 billion net income in 2022.
It operated 105,294 flights in 2023, showing a 36 percent growth from the 77,533 flights in 2022, marking an increase of over 27,000 flights.
This increase in flight activity enabled PAL to carry 0.14 billion passengers in 2023, a 58 percent rise from the 0.9 billion passengers in 2022.
Visitor Expenditure
For the month of February, visitor expenditure reached approximately USD 1.29 billion, a 143.45 percent increase from USD 0.52 billion in February 2023.
The average per capita expenditure for this month was about USD 2,735. Visitors had an average length of stay of 12.69 nights and an average daily expenditure of USD 215 during their visit to the country.
Top Markets by Expenditure
Among the top markets, visitors from South Korea recorded the highest spend, contributing approximately USD 364.4 million.
China secured the second position with a total expenditure of PHP 6.72 billion, followed by the United States of America in the third spot with USD 114.26 million.
Japan claimed the fourth rank with USD 0.091 billion, and Australia rounded out the top five with spending reaching USD 0.068 billion.
Taiwan occupied the sixth position with USD 0.056 billion, the UK followed at the seventh rank with USD 0.035 billion, Canada at the eighth spot with USD 0.035 billion, Singapore at the ninth position with USD 0.025 billion, and Germany secured the tenth rank with USD 0.025 billion.
Market Size Projection
The Philippines Tourism and Hotel Market size is estimated at USD 2.75 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.37 billion by 2029.
Overall Impact
The Philippines’ tourism sector is set to experience a significant boost as visa-free entry has been extended to citizens of 156 countries.
This strategic move is anticipated to enhance international arrivals, offering a seamless travel experience for millions of potential visitors.
Countries that can visit Philippines visa-free:
- Suriname
- Kazakhstan
- France
- Guinea
- Hungary
- Palau
- Guatemala
- Indonesia
- Paraguay
- Papua New Guinea
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Japan
- Guyana
- Mauritius
- South Korea
- Oman
- Madagascar
- Bhutan
- Fiji
- Australia
- Uganda
- Austria
- Malta
- Latvia
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
- Finland
- Portugal
- Seychelles
- Peru
- Gabon
- Iceland
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Ireland
- El Salvador
- Lao People’s Democratic Republic
- Haiti
- Cyprus
- Colombia
- Mozambique
- Dominican Republic
- Panama
- Greece
- Equatorial Guinea
- Mexico
- Sweden
- Poland
- Lesotho
- Norway
- Netherlands
- Malaysia
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Bolivia
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Yemen
- Ethiopia
- Qatar
- Ecuador
- Brazil
- Mali
- Argentina
- Solomon Islands
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Italy
- Mauritania
- United Arab Emirates
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Jordan
- Monaco
- Armenia
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Tuvalu
- Venezuela
- Cuba
- Andorra
- Liechtenstein
- Central African Republic
- Myanmar
- South Africa
- Sao Tome and Principe
- United States of America
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Senegal
- Tonga
- Mongolia
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Albania
- Vanuatu
- Germany
- Kiribati
- San Marino
- Spain
- Thailand
- North Macedonia
- Cape Verde
- Belgium
- Luxembourg
- Uzbekistan
- Denmark
- Turkmenistan
- Somalia
- Micronesia
- Czech Republic
- Honduras
- Vietnam
- Costa Rica
- Turkey
- Burundi
- Marshall Islands
- Israel
- Micronesia
- Saudi Arabia
- Angola
- Togo
- Pakistan
- Dominican Republic
- Hungary
- Singapore
- Namibia
- Marshall Islands
- Rwanda
- Dominican Republic
- Libya
- Nicaragua
- Eswatini
- China
- Eritrea
- Russia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Bangladesh
- Canada
- Djibouti
- Azerbaijan
- Jamaica
- Saint Lucia
- Benin
- Guinea-Bissau
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Sri Lanka
- Suriname
- Romania
- Lithuania
- India
- Slovakia
- Bulgaria
- Kuwait
- Zambia
- Botswana
- Seychelles
- Sudan
- Uganda
- Cuba
- Turkey
- Kenya
- Mozambique
- Chad
- Iceland
- Zimbabwe
- Gabon
- Greece
The list of countries benefiting from the Philippines’ visa-free entry policy includes all GCC countries, making it more accessible for travelers from this economically vibrant region.
However, the Schengen list notably excludes Slovakia, indicating room for further diplomatic negotiations.
Additionally, the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) list is missing Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Moldova, suggesting that there are still opportunities to expand the visa-free benefits to more countries in these regions.
These omissions highlight the need for continued efforts to broaden the scope of the visa-free policy to include more nations and foster stronger international relations.
Schengen Countries:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Russia
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
Major airports like Manila International Airport, which served 382,773 visitors, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which welcomed 104,439 tourists, have been instrumental in accommodating the influx of travelers.
The enhanced connectivity provided by Philippine Airlines, which registered a substantial net income of USD 379 million in 2023, further supports this growth.
Visitor expenditure also saw a significant rise, reaching USD 1.28 billion in February, with South Korean visitors contributing the highest spend at USD 0.36 billion.
As the Philippines continues to implement such forward-thinking policies, the projected growth of the tourism and hotel market to USD 3.37 billion by 2029 reaffirms the lasting positive impact of these initiatives.
The visa-free policy not only simplifies travel but also strengthens international relations, ensuring a thriving future for the Philippines’ tourism industry.
Top 5 Tourist Spots in the Philippines:
- Boracay Island: Famous for its powdery white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife, Boracay is a tropical paradise that offers a range of water activities, from snorkeling to windsurfing.
- Palawan (Puerto Princesa Underground River): This UNESCO World Heritage site features an underground river with stunning limestone karst landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and diverse wildlife.
- Chocolate Hills, Bohol: A geological formation consisting of at least 1,260 hills that turn brown in the dry season, resembling chocolate mounds. It’s a unique and mesmerizing natural wonder.
- Banaue Rice Terraces: Often referred to as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” these 2,000-year-old terraces were carved into the mountains of Ifugao by indigenous people and are a testament to ancient engineering.
- Cebu (Kawasan Falls): A series of beautiful waterfalls located in the jungles of Cebu, known for their turquoise blue water, perfect for canyoneering adventures and relaxing swims.
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