JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – In her address during the 12th ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting on Monday (Jan. 20), Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco underscored the promising growth and future potential of tourism relations between the Philippines and India.
According to Secretary Frasco, in 2024, the Philippines welcomed nearly 80,000 Indian visitors, an increase of over 12% compared to the previous year.
“While this number is smaller relative to our ASEAN neighbors, it represents significant growth,” Secretary Frasco noted.
“We see tremendous potential in India’s outbound tourism market, and we are committed to making the Philippines a top destination for Indian tourists,” she added.
Frasco likewise elaborated on the Philippines’ diverse experiences that cater to Indian travelers’ unique preferences: “The Philippines offers a diverse array of experiences that cater to the unique preferences of Indian travelers. From our world-class and award-winning beaches, our top dive sites, and rich cultural offerings to our renowned wedding destinations such as Cebu, which has been awarded Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination by the World Travel Awards, as well as our MICE venues that can very well cater to the Indian market. The Philippine experience harmoniously blends natural beauty with cultural richness, providing Indian tourists with a perfect mix of relaxation, adventure, and discovery.”
She emphasized the vast potential for further expansion, highlighting the Philippine government’s proactive approach to visa liberalization by air and sea, exemplified by the successful launch of the Cruise Visa Waiver Program and active participation in joint working group meetings and business-to-business interactions with Indian counterparts.
“We have already initially instituted the introduction of electronic visas for Indian nationals by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This digital initiative streamlines visa processes, and we look to make the efficiency of the operations of the e-Visa system even better under our President’s instructions,” said Frasco.
“As we strengthen these connections, we are also excited about the possibility of direct flights linking the Philippines and India, a critical development that will open up new tourism, trade, and cultural exchange pathways. We are hopeful that Air India will soon connect Indian cities directly to destinations in the Philippines that include Manila, Boracay, Clark, and Cebu,” added Frasco, referencing the efforts of the DOT’s Routes Development Team.
Meanwhile, Frasco also noted that sustainable tourism remains a cornerstone of the partnership between the Philippines and India, reflecting both nations’ shared respect for cultural heritage and natural environments. The recent 75th-anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India highlighted the strength of this relationship and the vibrant opportunities for future tourism cooperation.
Frasco pointed to the Philippines’ successful participation in events like the Outbound Travel Market (OTM) 2024 in India as a testament to the country’s commitment to engaging with the Indian tourism sector.
“Together with the ASEAN-India partnership at the forefront, we can continue to unlock new opportunities for sustainable tourism growth, economic development, and cultural exchange,” she concluded, expressing optimism for a prosperous future for both nations.
Strengthened tourism ties with India
In a bilateral meeting with Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat of India’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Tourism Forum meetings, Frasco reiterated the Philippines’ readiness to sign an implementation program to execute the Memorandum of Cooperation on Tourism that was signed between India and the Philippines in 2019.
The specifics of the implementation program would cover critical areas such as the expansion of air connectivity not just to Manila but also to our destinations, including Cebu, Clark, and other gateways. The exchange of travel professionals and the engagement of joint marketing promotions would increase tourism flows, among other things.
“Your Excellency, we are very hopeful that through our meeting today, through the forthcoming implementation program and the work that both our teams will do, we can increase from the 79,000 Indians that arrived in the Philippines last year to allow the Philippines to have a share of the over five million that arrived to the ASEAN in 2024,” enthused Frasco.
To this, Minister Shekhawat replied, “India and the Philippines share a long, long, long heritage and a relationship between both countries, not only on the basis of business and other things but also cultural ties that are also there between both countries.”
“I would like to thank you for the initiatives the Philippine side has taken to create more tourism potential between both countries. I’m sure that with the efforts of the Philippines and India in tourism, both offices will put in. The number of tourists inflowing into both countries is going to increase. Certainly, the share of the total number of tourists, Indian tourists visiting the ASEAN countries, and the Philippines deserves much more,” Minister Shekhwat concluded.
