Sen. Erwin Tulfo has renewed his appeal for more affordable domestic airfares, warning that persistently high ticket prices are undermining the country’s ability to compete with its Southeast Asian neighbors and discouraging Filipinos from exploring destinations within their own borders. During the Senate’s deliberations on the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of Tourism, Tulfo stressed that domestic travel has become so costly that many Filipinos now find international trips cheaper than visiting local destinations.
He cited the growing trend of travelers opting for nearby foreign cities over local gems, pointing out that a one-way ticket to Batanes or Tawi-Tawi often exceeds the cost of a round-trip fare to Hong Kong. Tulfo argued that this price imbalance not only weakens domestic tourism but also deprives local communities of economic opportunities tied to travel.
The senator’s remarks followed recent data showing the Philippines at the bottom of Southeast Asia’s tourism arrivals from January to August 2025. Figures from seasia.stats indicated that Malaysia welcomed 28.24 million international visitors, Thailand had 21.88 million, Vietnam logged 12.9 million, Singapore recorded 11.6 million, and Indonesia received 10.04 million—while the Philippines drew only 3.96 million. Tulfo said such numbers reflect the urgent need to make travel within the country more accessible, noting that the Philippines is home to world-class beaches and landscapes from Basilan to Jolo, Tawi-Tawi, and Batanes. The problem, he lamented, is that “the beauty is there, but the prices scare people away.”
Beyond lowering fares, Tulfo pushed for more direct flights to the provinces and stronger promotion of underrated destinations like Marinduque to spread tourism growth beyond established hotspots.
Responding on behalf of the DOT, Sen. Loren Legarda acknowledged that high airfares remain one of the biggest deterrents for both domestic and foreign travelers. She said the DOT is coordinating with the Department of Transportation, the Civil Aeronautics Board, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Philippine Competition Commission to address pricing issues and improve market competition. She added that ongoing consultations aim to finalize a code of conduct for online travel platforms to ensure transparent and fair pricing, consistent with the provisions of the Internet Transactions Act.
Tulfo maintained that meaningful tourism growth hinges on tackling airfare costs head-on, emphasizing that the country’s destinations are not lacking in appeal—only in affordability.
