A surge in returning Australian tourists has prompted Jetstar Airways to launch direct Perth–Manila flights and a seasonal Brisbane–Cebu service, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Monday, Dec. 1. The DOT noted that the high number of repeat visits from Australia reflects growing demand for...
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said on Friday, Oct. 17, that the reinstatement of electronic visas (e-Visas) for Chinese nationals demonstrates the country’s readiness to welcome more travelers and its renewed confidence in advancing the tourism market. The e-Visa...
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday, Sept. 6, maintained that visa requirements on Chinese nationals did not result in the decline of tourist arrivals from China. This was after Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that Chinese tourist arrivals went...
A total of 1,409 tourists were stranded after transport operations were disrupted by tropical storm “Crising,” prompting the Department of Tourism (DOT) to mobilize its regional offices and extend immediate assistance. In a situational report, the DOT said its regional offices were placed on...
Indian nationals may start entering the country visa-free for tourism purposes starting June 8, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Saturday, June 7. Foreign and local tourists at the Puerto Princesa Airport (Photo from the Department of Tourism) In a public advisory, the DFA said...
The growing influx of South Korean visitors, the Philippines’ largest group of foreign tourists, has prompted the Department of Tourism (DOT) to intensify security measures and enforce stricter safeguards to ensure their protection during their stay. DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco said...
The Philippine government is taking a step to keep South Korean nationals safe in the country by establishing a dedicated police desk for foreigners in police stations. Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said they have conducted a dialogue with the...
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto The Philippines has officially launched a value-added tax (VAT) refund system for foreign tourists, aiming to significantly boost tourism revenue by encouraging increased spending on local goods. According to the Department of Finance (DOF), the refund scheme...
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban) senatorial candidate Raul Lambino said on Monday, March 10, that economic relations between the Philippines and China “remain very strong” with an increasing number of Chinese tourists visiting Manila despite ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea....
The Embassy of Japan in Manila has asked Filipino tourists to apply for Japanese visas at least two months in advance of their plans to give the embassy more time to process their applications. Filipino foodies touring Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho, a narrow alleyway housing Izakaya and Yakitori joints...
The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) applauded the signing into law of a measure granting value-added tax (VAT) refunds to non-resident tourists. In a statement, Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC lead convenor and Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer, said the new law, a key council...
The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) fully supports the newly enacted Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund for Non-Resident Tourists law (Republic Act No. 12079) to boost tourism and the economy. In a Facebook post, BIR Commissioner Romeo D. Lumagui Jr. said that the bureau “supports the VAT Refund...
