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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo renews call for cheaper domestic flights to boost local tourism in 2026

Erwin Tulfo renews call for cheaper domestic flights to boost local tourism in 2026

Published Dec 7, 2025 01:47 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Erwin Tulfo renewed his call on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to strengthen efforts to lower ticket prices for domestic flights to enable the Philippines to compete with neighboring Southeast Asian countries in terms of tourist arrivals.

Senator Erwin Tulfo renewed his call on the Department of Tourism (DOT) to strengthen efforts to lower ticket prices for domestic flights to enable the Philippines to compete with neighboring Southeast Asian countries in terms of tourist arrivals.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo seeks updates from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies on the enforcement of rules and regulations concerning the proliferation of online gambling. During Tuesday’s hearing, September 16, 2025, of the Committee on Games and Amusement, Tulfo cited the previous discussion of the committee specifically on the inability to fully regulate the activities of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs). (Senate PRIB photo)
Sen. Erwin Tulfo seeks updates from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies on the enforcement of rules and regulations concerning the proliferation of online gambling. During Tuesday’s hearing, September 16, 2025, of the Committee on Games and Amusement, Tulfo cited the previous discussion of the committee specifically on the inability to fully regulate the activities of the Philippine Inland Gaming Operators (PIGOs). (Senate PRIB photo)

Tulfo raised this during the Senate plenary debates for the 2026 budget of the DOT, lamenting how other Asian countries are experiencing a spike in international tourists.

When it comes to international tourist arrivals, Tulfo noted that the Philippines is at the tail end among Southeast Asian countries.

“Our people would rather go to Hong Kong or Taiwan because the one-way ticket going to Batanes or one-way ticket going to Tawi-Tawi is more expensive compared to a round-trip ticket going to Hong Kong,” Tulfo said.

Sen. Loren Legarda, who defended the DOT budget, assured that the agency is doing consultations to finalize a code of conduct for online travel agencies to ensure transparency and fair pricing, aligned with the Internet Transactions Act.

“The Department of Tourism recognizes that high airfares are the key deterrent to travel. They're working closely with the Department of Transportation, Civil Aeronautics Board, DTI, and the PCC (Philippine Competition Commission) to address this,” Legarda said.

Travel data from seasia.stats showed that from January to August 2025, Malaysia recorded 28.24 million international arrivals, followed by Thailand at 21.88 million, Vietnam at 12.9 million, Singapore at 11.6 million, Indonesia at 10.04 million, and the Philippines at 3.96 million.

“This is the major hindrance to boost local tourism—the skyrocketing ticket prices. We have beautiful beaches in Basilan, and we have beautiful beaches in Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, and other parts of the country,” Tulfo said.

“We have a beautiful scenery in Batanes. Unfortunately, it is too pricey,” he further lamented.

Also, Tulfo urged the DOT to work out the creation of direct flights to provinces and the promotion of underrated provinces like Marinduque, among others.

Related Tags

tourism DOT Erwin Tulfo Loren Legarda
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