Manila: The Philippines is forecasted to see an increase in Chinese arrivals in the next six months once the e-Visa program for China is implemented this November, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday. ‘With the e-Visa being resumed only in November, it’s really a lot of market preparation to rebuild what has been lost,’ she told reporters on the sidelines of the Travelogue for Muslim-friendly Philippines launch.

According to Philippines News Agency, the market penetration is anticipated to occur next year. Frasco noted that any marketing campaign results require at least six months before actual conversion is visible. The Department of Tourism (DOT) will collaborate closely with its partners in China to increase the volume of chartered flights into the Philippines.

The agency plans to enhance its marketing and promotions to attract both leisure and business travelers. Frasco emphasized that marketing efforts in China continued even when the e-Visa was suspended. As the resumption nears, the DOT has initiated a ‘working program’ involving joint promotions with the Tourism Promotions Board and private sector stakeholders.

Frasco expressed hope that the e-Visa could lead to increased arrivals from the Chinese market next year. The DOT is working with private sector stakeholders to ensure that efforts are aligned to market the Philippines and prepare for future arrivals.

In a previous message to the Philippine News Agency, the DOT highlighted that the suspension of the e-Visa for the Chinese market, combined with strict daily visa caps for free independent travelers (FITs), constrained its ability to serve charter flights typically operating two to three times a week. Before the pandemic, China was the Philippines’ second-largest source of tourists, with 1.7 million visitors in 2019, trailing only South Korea. From January to September 2025, the Philippines recorded 203,923 Chinese arrivals.