The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) that was opened by President Marcos, Jr. in Cebu on Jan. 28 has adopted a theme that captures both the urgency of the moment and the promise of the region: Navigating our tourism future together. It is a fitting call to action at a time when global economic...
The Philippines reaffirmed its leadership in regional tourism as the Department of Tourism (DOT) hosted the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) 2026 in Cebu on Wednesday, Jan. 28, bringing together over 600 foreign buyers, sellers, and exhibitors to advance ASEAN’s drive to become a unified,...
The Philippines stands to gain significant economic, tourism, and investment benefits as it hosts the 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum 2026 (ATF 2026) in Cebu City on Wednesday, Jan. 28, the Department of Tourism said. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. said...
The Philippines should be dominating the tourism conversation. It is one of Southeast Asia’s most naturally spectacular destinations—home to world-famous islands, award-winning beaches, and a hospitality culture that travelers praise again and again. Yet the numbers reveal a lingering gap...
International arrivals in the Philippines climbed to 6.48 million in 2025, a strong post-pandemic recovery that remained below pre-pandemic levels of about eight million, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) recorded 5.9...
Malacañang has encouraged the public to explore local tourist destinations while waiting for Japanese visa appointments to open. The Palace made the call amid the reported difficulties faced by travel agencies in securing Japanese visa appointments for their clients. Palace Press Officer and...
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday, Jan. 20, said that the Philippines’ tourism performance in 2025 was driven by a quality-focused approach that generated broader economic benefits beyond visitor numbers. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted that the gains reflected a...
Foreign travelers with long layovers in Manila can now transform wait time at the airport into curated city experiences aboard the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Transit Tours in partnership with Philippine Airlines (PAL). DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said the program lets tourists enjoy...
The Philippines will allow Chinese nationals to enter and stay in the country without a visa for a maximum of 14 days starting Friday, Jan. 16. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the announcement on Thursday, Jan. 15, in a move that it said was in line with President Marcos '...
Tourism-related payments and government procurement are set to move faster and become more accessible as the Department of Tourism (DOT) rolls out a nationwide digital system powered by Landbank of the Philippines. Under a memorandum of agreement signed on Jan. 13, the DOT will adopt Landbank’s...
Malacañang has denied reports that Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco is facing removal and that aviation executive Stanley Ng will replace her following criticisms of her leadership. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this amid reports...
Domestic travel set new records during the Christmas long break, and local tourism supported communities while strengthening the economy, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Monday, Jan. 5. Boracay Island led major destinations with 118,745 visitors from Dec. 15 to 28, 2025. Baguio City...
