TOURISM Secretary Christina Frasco announced a significant drop in the number of Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines.
Speaking on the program “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon,” Frasco revealed that Chinese arrivals in 2024 totaled just over 300,000. While she didn’t directly attribute the decrease to the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs, the timing suggests a correlation.
To compensate for the decline, Frasco highlighted the government’s focus on attracting tourists from other key markets. She expressed hope that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration will implement an electronic visa or electronic travel authority system for Indian tourists this year.
The Philippines is also intensifying efforts to attract more visitors from South Korea and the United States, leveraging new direct flights from San Francisco and Seattle to Manila.
The positive tourism statistics from Japan, coupled with the Philippines’ appeal to the Japanese market, are also contributing to the strategy.
Frasco also expressed gratitude for the continued influx of Australian tourists, drawn to the country’s award-winning islands and destinations. Finally, she emphasized the significant potential for growth in the Indian tourism market.
