San juan city: The Department of Tourism (DOT) is advocating for legislative action to relax visa policies for foreign tourists as the 20th Congress commenced its first regular session on July 28. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco emphasized the urgency of this measure during an interview at the 2025 post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) conference.
According to Philippines News Agency, Frasco pointed out that the Philippines is falling behind its ASEAN neighbors concerning entry requirements for tourists. She stressed the need for more funding for tourism infrastructure and a liberal visa policy to attract more international visitors. Frasco highlighted the importance of balancing national security with making the Philippines a competitive destination for travelers.
In a pre-SONA interview, Alfred Lay, Director for Hotels, Tourism, and Leisure at Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC), noted that Manila is losing out on Chinese tourists, a significant outbound market. Lay explained that Chinese tourists face a cumbersome visa application process for the Philippines, unlike in other countries, reducing the country’s appeal as a travel destination.
Statistics show that Chinese arrivals in the Philippines fell by 34.36 percent in the first four months of 2025, dropping to 92,659 from 141,153 in the same period the previous year. This decline underscores the need for more accessible visa policies to boost tourism.
In the same forum, Frasco underscored the government’s focus on tourism as a vital sector for job creation and economic growth. She noted that tourism remains resilient amid challenges such as climate crises and geopolitical tensions, providing stable employment for millions of Filipinos. The sector employs 6.75 million Filipinos directly, with another 10 million benefiting indirectly.
Tourism’s contribution to the GDP reached 8.9 percent in 2024, with total spending amounting to PHP3.86 trillion. Frasco assured that the DOT would continue its initiatives to enhance the skills of Filipinos in the tourism industry, with over 322,000 individuals trained under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program. The agency also collaborates with educational bodies to offer scholarships and upskilling opportunities.
