The Philippines is experiencing a remarkable surge in tourism, fueled by the implementation of a visa-free entry policy for citizens of 156 countries. This initiative has transformed the country into an increasingly attractive destination for global travelers, simplifying access and boosting international arrivals. Key international airports, including Manila International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Clark International Airport, have witnessed 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.
Visa-free entry has been granted to South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, Taiwan, and numerous other nations, solidifying the Philippines’ position as a captivating destination. By streamlining the entry process, the country aims to attract tourists from diverse backgrounds, ultimately increasing tourism revenue. With visa-free access, travelers from various age groups are expected to contribute to the influx. Young adults aged 25-34 years, who constitute 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.
The gender distribution among tourists is expected to show a significant rise in both male and female travelers. Historically, male visitors have comprised 54.19% of total arrivals, while female visitors have accounted for 45.81%. With the introduction of visa-free entry, a balanced increase in arrivals from both genders is anticipated. The primary purpose of visit under the visa-free scheme is likely to remain Holiday/Pleasure, which previously accounted for 73.85% 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.
Manila International Airport served as the country’s main gateway, welcoming 382,773 visitors, which accounted for 66.66% of the total air travelers arrivals. The Mactan-Cebu International Airport received 104,439 tourists, making up 18.19% of the total share, while arrivals at Clark International Airport reached 35,653 or 6.21%. Additionally, Bohol-Panglao International Airport recorded 22,403 arrivals (3.90%), Kalibo International Airport had 18,971 arrivals (3.30%), Caticlan International Airport saw 7,666 arrivals (1.34%), Davao International Airport had 2,310 arrivals (0.40%), and Iloilo International Airport had 3 arrivals.
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 379 million (PHP 21 billion) in 2023, reflecting a 92% increase from the USD 197 million (PHP 11 billion) net income in 2022. It operated 105,294 flights in 2023, showing a 36% 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 14.7 million passengers in 2023, a 58% rise from the 9.3 million passengers in 2022.
For the month of February, visitor expenditure reached approximately PHP 75.58 billion, a 143.45% increase from PHP 31.05 billion in February 2023. The average per capita expenditure for this month was about PHP 160,413.69. Visitors had an average length of stay of 12.69 nights and an average daily expenditure of PHP 12,640.95 during their visit to the country. Among the top markets, visitors from South Korea recorded the highest spend, contributing approximately PHP 21.37 billion. 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 PHP 6.70 billion. Japan claimed the fourth rank with PHP 5.35 billion, and Australia rounded out the top five with spending reaching PHP 4.01 billion. Taiwan occupied the sixth position with PHP 3.33 billion, the UK followed at the seventh rank with PHP 2.08 billion, Canada at the eighth spot with PHP 2.07 billion, Singapore at the ninth position with PHP 1.51 billion, and Germany secured the tenth rank with PHP 1.49 billion.
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. 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: 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.
The visa-free entry policy has proven to be a pivotal strategy in revitalizing the Philippines’ tourism sector. 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 PHP 75.58 billion in February, with South Korean visitors contributing the highest spend at PHP 21.37 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.
