THE Department of Tourism (DoT) is expecting an increase in Indian travelers to the Philippines after the two countries established a strategic partnership.
“The two main hurdles for visiting the Philippines have been removed. First, the visa-free entry for nationals coming into the country,” Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said in a statement on Sunday.
“Second, direct flights have cut travel time from anywhere from 13 to 20 hours to only six hours, soon,” she added.
She also cited President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s executive order offering digital nomad visas to attract long-staying professionals.
Last year, India was the Philippines’ 13th largest source market, accounting for 79,366 arrivals, mostly leisure travelers interested in beaches, shopping, and educational tourism.
“Secretary Frasco expressed optimism about increasing these numbers, emphasizing plans to intensify marketing campaigns aimed at attracting high-value and luxury travelers from India,” the DoT said.
In particular, she put forward Cebu as a wedding destination for Indian couples.
Another lucrative market being eyed by the department is the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) segment, which in India is valued at $49 billion.
To support these initiatives, Ms. Frasco said that the department will offer familiarization trips and business-to-business meetings.
“We fully recognize the necessity of educating the market here, and that is why we are at present recalibrating our budgets to make sure that we fully invest in the Indian market,” she said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
