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As per IATF Resolution No. 2 (s. 2022) on the ENTRY, QUARANTINE and TESTING Requirements of inbound travelers to the Philippines

A. FULLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

- No pre-departure COVID-19 Test requirement - Must have received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.

B. UNVACCINATED or PARTIALLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)

1. Travelers 15 years and older shall present a remotely supervised/laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, or other similar establishment taken 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over. 2. Travelers 15 years and older who fail to present a negative pre-departure testing shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based Antigen Test UPON ARRIVAL at the airport. 3. ACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them. 4. UNACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the protocols set forth in Section B (1) and (2) above. NOTE:- Any inbound traveler, whether Filipino or Foreign national, who shall test positive for COVID-19 through rapid antigen test shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH.

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Tourists can soon visit the Philippines again, for the first time in nearly 2 years

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will lift a ban on the entry of foreign tourists and businesspeople next month after nearly two years, in a move to revive the battered tourism industry as the latest coronavirus outbreak started to ease, officials said Friday.

Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said the country will reopen its doors to travelers from more than 150 countries with visa-free privileges starting Feb. 10. Foreign travelers will no longer be required to quarantine in government-designated centers upon arrival if they have been fully vaccinated and tested negative prior to arrival, officials said.

The government had initially planned to lift the ban on Dec. 1 but indefinitely postponed it as the more contagious omicron variant spread, which also prompted authorities to reimpose tighter restrictions .

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The number of daily infections has dropped considerably in the capital in recent days.

“We’re done with border control,” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire told a news conference, adding that government focus has shifted to preventing community transmission of the omicron variant, which has caused five deaths in the country so far.

“We are also aware that there is no room for complacency given the unpredictability of the virus,” Puyat said. “We will closely monitor the situation and ensure that health and safety protocols are strictly implemented in all tourism establishments.”

The number of tourists dropped by more than 6 million, and more than a million Filipinos lost their jobs in tourism businesses and destinations in the first year of the pandemic alone, according to government statistics. Tourism destinations, including popular beach and island resorts, resembled ghost towns at the height of pandemic lockdowns.

The Philippines has reported more than 3.5 million confirmed COVID-19 infections, with 53,801 deaths, the second-highest totals in Southeast Asia after Indonesia.

The U.S. State Department , earlier in January, encouraged Americans to "reconsider travel" to the Philippines due to COVID-19. It also warned travelers to "exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, and kidnapping."

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Eager for visitors, the Philippines reopens to international tourists.

The Southeast Asian nation had closed its borders to most visitors for nearly two years.

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• Feb. 10, 2022

MANILA — The Philippines reopened to international tourists on Thursday for the first time in almost two years, as it looks to kick-start an economy hit hard by the pandemic and the measures taken to control it.

Tourists from 157 countries that have a no-visa arrangement with the Philippines are now welcome, provided they are fully vaccinated and can show a negative coronavirus test, the government said.

The Philippine tourism secretary, Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, said reopening the sector was part of the government’s overall program to revitalize the economy, which has suffered greatly in the health crisis but slightly recovered last year.

“We haven’t had good news for a long time,” she said, adding that she was confident the change would bring back jobs and revenue lost during the pandemic.

Unvaccinated travelers will still need to check into quarantine facilities on arrival, she said, but fully vaccinated Filipino nationals and foreigners would not.

She stressed that nearly all workers in the country’s tourism sector have been vaccinated, and that her department was also helping tourism workers get booster shots.

All hotels in the Philippines have also gone through and completed safety audits, she said.

The Philippines, with a population of 110 million, has recorded an average of about 6,500 new cases a day over the past week, according to the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. That represents a sharp drop from less than a month ago, when the country was recording more than 30,000 cases a day.

The “careful reopening of the economy” came amid strong lobbying from Ms. Romulo-Puyat, who noted that tourism-related industries suffered tremendously from the health-induced slowdown. The Philippines’ economy grew 5.6 percent last year, after a harsh recession in 2020.

The reopening was originally set for December but was delayed when the highly transmissible Omicron variant spread around the world.

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To Build Up Tourism, Philippines Loosens Pandemic Restrictions For Filipinos

Ashley Westerman

The tourism industry in the Philippines lost some $8 billion in 2020 because of the pandemic. Filipinos are being encouraged to travel domestically to try to restart a crucial sector of the economy.

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Rebooting Philippine Tourism from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Revitalizing tourism activities has become one of the primary concerns for the Philippines. In the short run, domestic tourism is expected to play a vital role in supporting the initial recovery phase of travel. With its presumed impact on travelers’ behavior and business operations, an analysis of the Filipino travelers’ sentiments and the existing domestic travel market is necessary in presenting effective strategies in the midst of the new normal in Philippine travel.

Introduction

The Philippine tourism economy has been heavily hit by the measures implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19. The pandemic has prompted an unprecedented crises with projections and revised scenarios suggesting that the shock in global tourism could be at 60-80% for the entire 2020, translating to a loss of approximately 67 million international arrivals or USD 80 billion in exports from tourism, while putting 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk. While affecting all economies, the Asia-Pacific region has been projected to suffer with the highest impact, affecting about 33 million arrivals (United Nations World Tourism Organization [UNWTO], 2020).

Tourism is a significant pillar in many economies in the region, especially in the Philippines, where in 2019, it contributed 12.7% share in the country’s GDP, and employed 14 out of 100 or 5.7 million of Filipinos (Philippine Statistics Authority [PSA], 2020). Following the outbreak of the pandemic, estimates for the first three months of 2020 suggest that revenue from foreign arrivals decreased by 35%, and employment in the industry may be reduced by about 33,800 to 56,600 (CGTN, 2020). Several months into the implementation of  stay-at-home  and quarantine policies, travel in the Philippines remains uncertain. Travel restrictions and limits in people-to-people interactions are likely to be in place for a long period of time, thus bringing the industry to a standstill.

With the expectation that domestic travel will recover faster than international tourism, insights on the possible strategies that can help bootstrap the Philippine tourism economy should be discussed. Critical to this approach is an understanding of the Filipino travelers’ sentiments towards travel and a marketing analysis which scrutinizes ways to revive travel demand and resume operations in the face of the new normal in tourism. This article will look into the variety of conducted surveys regarding travel perceptions and will reintroduce the concept of  space travel  to guide the creation of strategies towards travel in the new normal.

Redefining Travel in the New Normal: The Filipino Travelers’ Sentiments

In these times of uncertainty in the outlook of travel in the Philippines, a data-driven approach to support the revival of the industry has become an imperative. During the period of March to May 2020, several public and private organisations deemed it necessary to conduct surveys to understand stakeholders’ perceptions on travel in relation to the pandemic. Given mobility restrictions, surveys have been conducted online while targeting a range of stakeholders from enterprises, decision makers, to tourists. Conducted in varying time frames, general survey results suggest that travel sentiments might have evolved over periods of time. Insights on travel perceptions are necessary in crafting strategies for tourism recovery. Thus, consumer perception on the future of travel should be taken into consideration in planning interventions and strategies. Table 1 presents the surveys conducted in relation to travel and pandemic.

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From the results of the surveys, several insights about the future of travel in the Philippines were made: First, domestic travel will be a priority. Travelers opt to either engage in land travel or air travel. Second, travelers will prioritise travel in rural, secluded, and natural areas once restrictions are lifted. Travel away from mainstream and overcrowded destinations are expected, although beach destinations are still considered ideal destinations post-pandemic. Furthermore, due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, travelers are now more open to digital travel experiences. Similarly, travelers are likely to choose customised travel experiences over packaged group tours. Third, health and safety protocols will be their number one priority once travel resumes. Thus, effective communication of safety measures and protocols implemented in destinations and enterprises will greatly influence travel choices. Perception towards the health and safety in travel will therefore predict where travelers will travel, when they will be traveling, and what kind of experiences they hope to obtain. Fourth, while domestic travel is expected to resume within four to twelve months after easing of travel restrictions, sentiments are primarily dictated by perceptions on public health and safety. Finally, given that the pandemic has affected people’s source of income and their personal finances, travelers seek more cost-effective experiences.

Re-Introducing  Space Travel

As emphasised in the webinar entitled  Space travel: A conversation on strategies to revitalize Philippine tourism post-COVID-19  ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq-Co_DWg8E ) hosted by the AIM- Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism last 28 July 2020, much has been said about the world getting smaller, we forget that the world is actually big. There are still so many places to explore and to visit, much to learn and to unlearn. Overcrowding (i.e.,  mass tourism ) is no longer an option because of the established physical/social distancing, health and safety protocols that require decongestion of tourist attractions. To care for earth by giving nature room to flourish, to give fellow travellers the room to breathe, to explore, to grow, to reflect and participate in the lives of others, and to give destination stakeholders time to recover from visitor activities is the essence of  space travel . It is a literal practise of giving each other and the earth space.

Tourists who routinely return to familiar destinations are considered  second home tourists . These tourists are in the best position to care for a destination because they are invested in this as their go-to place for sanctuary. On the other hand, for those who travel to experience destinations from a distance, risking the alteration of local behaviour and culture are deemed  fishbowl tourists . By including activities that increase their involvement in local custom, rather than just mere observation can transform these tourists and their attitude towards travel. Those who immerse themselves and make their experience a journey is called the  inspired travellers , who imbibe sustainable tourism when they protect and safeguard the earth by their conscious defence and accountability of environments and travel behaviour.

Until restrictions are lifted and travelling returns to normal, tourism needs to adjust and adapt to reflect the present restrictions, initiating a new way of serving travellers called  transition tourism . This type of tourism distributes the business amongst many stakeholders – accommodations, transportation, alimentation, security, and sanitation – in small groups triggering a collaborative rebooting of a local economy in many areas. Thus, for space travel to take root, transition tourism must inspire fishbowl and mass tourists to become inspired travellers (see Figure 1).

By working together, stakeholders and travellers alike, in stimulating local economies as a tight organism is to  think small . It reduces the unwieldiness of the task of re-booting economies and industries. When each one of us does our little bits, we can save our big world by thinking small.

Moving Forward: From Crisis Response to Recovery

Further discussions, through webinars, have been initiated among experts and stakeholders on rebooting Philippine tourism. In the webinar titled  Bootstrapping Philippine tourism: Recalibrating our priorities during and after COVID-19  ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kNhIZqy92I ) hosted by the AIM-Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism last 03 June 2020, the following discussions have been featured: best practices on how tourism industries recover from disasters; strategies on how tourism stakeholders can manage COVID-19’s impacts; and insights on resilient recovery from a disaster risk-reduction management lens and how these can be applied for tourism recovery efforts.

During the webinar, Aileen C. Clemente (President, Rajah Travel Corporation) highlighted the following lessons from the pandemic: “it takes a while for people to get from philosophical discussion to general frame working to actual implementation”; “those who had a lot of excuses not to implement what needed to be implemented have no choice but to now implement them; and “greed has been tempered”. From these, Clemente cited the four stages of recovery as per the World Travel & Tourism Council – managing and mitigating the crisis, restarting the sector’s operations, reaching recovery, and redesign for the new normal.

In line with this, Maria Cherry Lyn S. Rodolfo (Consultant, Department of Tourism) explicated that the tourism industry must have a calibrated recovery plan, in which domestic tourism should be given priority. That is, tourism authorities and enterprises must incessantly develop safety and health protocols that will ensure domestic travel is safe, secure, and seamless. Rodolfo also emphasised that the pandemic warranted the need for “strong, innovative, and responsive network” in moving towards recovery, reset, and resiliency. Rodolfo also highlighted the role of “cohesive and collaborative networks” in tourism reboot. There should be: call to action for inclusive recovery assistance, innovation, infrastructure, and institutional strengthening; community engagement in utilizing the resources of networks and in leveraging local with national and international networks; and a communication plan that will cascade tourism reboot strategies to both existing strong and weak networks in the industry.

In doing so, Clemente argued that in the new normal, repositioning product offerings, raising levels of service, defining world-class destination, re-examining consumption of tourism products and services, and increasing awareness about mass tourism are essential. Similarly, Lesley Jeanne Y. Cordero (Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, World Bank) stressed that in transitioning towards the new normal, there is a need to redefine tourist experience and destination management; invest in innovative and creative ways of product development; promote sustainability, inclusivity, and resiliency; recalibrate travel timelines, concepts, spaces and experiences; shift and share burden by collaborating with government, stakeholders, communities and tourists.  

While information about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has already dominated discourses on tourism, only a few discussions have been made regarding strategies to accelerate tourism recovery. With tourism activities at a standstill, an opportunity to adapt new models for conducting tourism activities has opened. More than ever, the role of tourism stakeholders in transitioning to the new normal has become more apparent.

In addressing the question on how tourism can recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, we analysed existing data regarding travel perceptions and conducted a marketing analysis to identify ways to revive travel demand and operations in the new normal. Our analysis suggest that existing business models may have become obsolete, thereby needing adjustments and re-assessments. While travel restrictions remain, transition tourism takes place. Crucial at this period is considering travelers’ perceptions and sentiments. Following the findings in the various surveys conducted, travelers are expected to engage in tourism activities with health and safety as their priority, which further suggests their preference towards natural areas and uncrowded destinations, digital travel, and customised experiences.

Reflected by these findings is a paradigm shift in the future of travel—from  fishbowl tourism  to  inspired travellers,  which also tantamount to a shift from mass tourism to a more sustainable form of tourism. However, this shift does not occur without the collaborative rebooting of the local economy by using local tourism as a springboard. Thus, stakeholders need to work together, along with tourists, to create a tightly knit industry that fosters  thinking small .

• CGTN. (2020). Philippines Q1 tourism revenue dips 35% due to COVID-19. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2020-05-02/Philippines-Q1-tourism-revenue-dips-35-due-to-COVID-19-Q9MV8ZEnW8/index.html
• Department of Tourism, Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, & Guide to the Philippines (DOT, ALTCFT, GTTP). (2020, June). The Philippine Travel Survey Report: Insights on Filipino Travelers’ Sentiments on the New Normal. Department of Tourism, Asian Institute of Management, Guide to the Philippines.  https://guidetothephilippines.ph/ph-travel-survey .
• Experience Philippines. (2020, May). How Filipinos view traveling after COVID-19 flattens?  https://www.experience.ph/poll-how-filipinos-view-traveling-after-covid-19-flattens/ .
• Filinvest Hospitality Corporation and Chroma Hospitality Inc. (2020, June). Domestic travel sentiment survey.  https://indd.adobe.com/view/30521fd3-30fa-4ba2-b165-919e100569c3?fbclid=IwAR05IrayFDrJfKvoCfq5CDyzxcdawAra34OO_NuRXAidwU-JzXtcmYAsuO0 .
• Tajara Hospitality and Horwath HTL. (2020, April). Hotel sentiment survey 2020 (Impact of COVID-19).  https://cdn.horwathhtl.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/04/Sentiment-Survey_Philippines_Hotels_Covid-Impact.pdf .
• TwoEco, Inc. (2020). Philippine tourism after the pandemic. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jw57pIvX0fh7l1y739HGk46COUOpRNFI/view.
• Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). (2020). Contribution of Tourism to the Philippine Economy is 12.7 percent in 2018. https://psa.gov.ph/content/contribution-tourism-philippine-economy-127-percent-2018
• PwC Philippines. (2020, July). Impact of COVID-19 on the Philippine tourism indusry.  https://www.pwc.com/ph/en/publications/tourism-pwc-philippines/tourism-covid-19.html .
• United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). (2020). International Tourist Numbers could fall 60-80% in 2020. https://www.unwto.org/news/covid-19-international-tourist-numbers-could-fall-60-80-in-2020

Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism

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By The Numbers: Philippine tourism during a pandemic

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Bookmark this page and watch the discussion on Thursday, July 29, at 9 am

Editor’s Note: This interview was recorded in late March, before the Greater Manila Area was again placed under lockdown .

In 2020, the contribution of the tourism industry to the Philippines’ gross domestic product fell to 5.4% from 12.8% in 2019.

A year after coronavirus restrictions were first imposed, the Philippines has been opening up tourism destinations to help drive local travel.

Tourism surveys showed that Filipinos have been looking forward to traveling again – mostly for their mental health .

Despite relaxed restrictions, the recovery of the industry is still threatened with more virulent COVID-19 variants and the subsequent increase in cases.

In this episode of By The Numbers, Rappler talks to Eylla Gutierrez, an adjunct faculty member at the Asian Institute of Management, to discuss the tourism landscape in the Philippines and what the government can do to help it recover amid challenges. – Rappler.com

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How does the Philippines envision tourism after the pandemic?

The Philippines | Tourism

Tourism played a central role in the Philippines’ economic development in the years leading to 2020, and an increasing emphasis on sustainability and responsibility underscores the sector’s importance for the years to come. While the popular island of Boracay has long drawn tourists, local authorities continue work to diversify destinations through the creation of tourism enterprise zones (TEZs). These endeavours, as well as those aimed at widening source markets, have laid the groundwork for an expanded yet more tailored offering.

Although the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative effect on the sector and the economy as a whole in 2020, policymakers and stakeholders are looking to adapt the sector’s offering and prioritise domestic tourism to support the national recovery. Enhanced health and safety measures have been implemented to align hotels, tourism sites and other services with the demands of the new normal. Meanwhile, a shift towards digitalisation and the use of technology to upskill the workforce are readying the sector for the future.

Structure & Oversight

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is the sector’s main regulator and also markets the Philippines as a destination via its overseas offices. While international arrivals were banned for much of 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, these branches are expected to be key to reviving international tourism once international restrictions are eased. Meanwhile, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is responsible for designing promotions and marketing campaigns. In 2019 the TPB began new programmes to market alternative destinations such as Pampanga, Southern Cebu, Samar and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) – which operates under the auspices of the DOT – works to drive investment in designated areas through fiscal and non-fiscal incentives such as six-year income tax holidays. Created in 2009, it also develops, manages and supervises tourism infrastructure projects, as well as designing, regulating and supervising TEZs. There are five TEZs: Bucas Grande, a 167.7-ha area in Socorro, Surigao del Norte; the Amorita Resort in Panglao, Bohol; Aton Land and Leisure in Negros Occidental; the Magikland Cultural Zone inside Aton Land and Leisure; and the King Dome Stadium in Davao. TIEZA is also looking to develop tourism clusters, with different areas of the country focusing on specific segments. “Clark could be an appealing destination for business and shopping tourists from China and other Asian markets, while remote islands can be attractive to European and other western markets,” Pocholo Paragas, COO of TIEZA, told OBG. “It is not possible to base all tourism on ecotourism; there has to be variety, and clusters are a promising way of facilitating diversification,” he added.

The DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2016-22 is the framework that guides the industry’s development. It aims to encourage sustainable and socially responsible tourism. It identified 20 tourism clusters around the country, each including priority tourism development areas. It was designed with the aim of almost doubling tourism revenue from P2.1trn ($41.8bn) in 2015 to P3.9trn ($77.6bn) in 2022, while also increasing the number of inbound visitors from 5.4m to 12m. “It is important to prioritise some products and services in order to reach the NTDP’s goals of improving access, developing the product and protecting the environment,” Aileen Clemente, chairman and president of travel service provider Rajah Travel, told OBG. The roadmap also aims to boost the sector’s competitiveness on a global scale. In 2019 the Philippines ranked 75th out of 140 countries in the World Economic Forum’s travel and tourism competitiveness index, up from 79th in 2017. It performed best on price competitiveness (24th), natural resources (36th), and human resources and the labour market (37th).

Visitor arrivals had steadily increased since the implementation of the NTDP’s baseline of 5.4m in 2015. The country welcomed 6m visitors in 2016, above the plan’s target of 5.9m, with 6.6m arriving the following year, above the targeted 6.5m. However, in 2018 visitor arrivals fell short of the targeted 7.4m, totalling 7.1m. This was largely attributed to the closure of Boracay, one of the country’s most popular destinations, between April and October in order to rehabilitate the island from the effects of unchecked development, overburdened wastewater facilities and overpopulation. Upon reopening, measures were put in place to prevent future damage, including a maximum allowance of tourists and workers, and strict environmental accreditation procedures. Arrivals bounced back in 2019, surpassing the NTDP’s target of 8.2m to reach almost 8.3m – a 15.2% increase. The Philippines’ most popular destination for foreign arrivals in 2019 was the newly reopened Boracay, which hosted 1.6m foreign guests, according to the DOT; followed by Cebu, with 1.4m; and Davao del Sur, with 1.3m.

Covid-19 was an understandable setback for the NTDP’s goal of 9.2m foreign visitors in 2020. In late March the country closed its borders to most foreign arrivals, with exceptions for the spouses of citizens, diplomats, airline crew and holders of certain special long-term visas. In the first seven months of 2020 arrivals dropped by 73%, from 4.9m to 1.3m. Pandemic-related lockdowns also imposed restrictions on business operations and domestic travel, limiting the potential for local travellers to make up for international visitors. Tourism revenue similarly fell by 72% year-on-year (y-oy) to P81bn ($1.6bn) as a result. While the country is expected to remain closed to most foreigners through mid-2021, in October 2020 the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases ordered a technical working group to review the ban on foreign arrivals. Exemptions and other issues remained under discussion as of late 2020.

Looking ahead, a July 2020 survey of around 250 businesses in tourism-related segments by PwC found that 79% of respondents were optimistic about a recovery by mid-2021, while 21% expected a longer time frame. PwC similarly forecast that international arrivals would bounce back in the medium term, from an estimated 3.9m in 2020 to 6.2m by 2024.

Hotel Infrastructure

As visitor arrivals grew over the 2010-19 period, hotel infrastructure expanded by an average of 2000 hotel rooms per year – with around 2800 rooms completed in 2018. While real estate consultancy Colliers initially expected 6870 new hotel rooms to come on-line between 2020 and 2022, for an average of 2300 rooms per year, this projection was revised downwards in light of the pandemic. Nonetheless, even after hotel room construction slowed to 375 rooms in the first half of 2020, the agency noted in August that it still expected 1725 rooms to enter the market by the end of the year.

Hotel performance similarly reflected rising visitor numbers, with the average hotel occupancy rate countrywide reaching 72% in 2019, before falling to 50% in April and May 2020 amid Covid-19-related restrictions ; full-year occupancy is expected to drop to 30%. Continued air transport disruptions are likely to affect the segment for some time, with Colliers forecasting occupancy rates will hover below 50% through 2021. Meanwhile, average daily room rates in Metro Manila are expected to fall by 30.4% from $79 in the second half of 2019 to $55 by the end of 2020.

Spending, Employment & Investment

The rise in visitors in recent years saw higher expenditure, with tourism spend reaching P3.7trn ($73.6bn) in 2019, up 12.1% from P3.3trn ($65.6bn) in 2018. Domestic tourists contributed the majority, at P3.1trn ($61.7bn), while foreign visitors spent P548.8bn ($10.9bn). These totals were considerably higher than the previous year, up 10.7% and 23.2%, respectively. Tourism revenue also rose, reaching a record $9.3bn, up 20.8% from $7.7bn in 2018. Higher levels of spending and revenue had a trickle-down effect, increasing the number of jobs in the sector from 5.4m to 5.7m, with 14% of employed Filipinos working in tourism-related industries.

Investors, in turn, were attracted to the burgeoning market. Investment from the private and public sector reached P663.2bn ($13.2bn) in 2019 – P569.1bn ($11.3bn) of which came from private investment and P94.1bn ($1.9bn) from the government – according to figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority. Government spending on tourism grew by 23.5% over the year, highlighting the sector’s importance to economic development. Indeed, tourism contributed 12.7% to GDP in 2019, up from 12.3% in 2018 and 11.7% in 2017. Tourism direct gross value added reached P2.5trn ($49.7bn), 10.8% above 2018’s figure of P2.2trn ($43.8bn).

Source Markets

Even as the number of travellers to the Philippines rose, the composition of visitors remained relatively consistent. South Korea has been the top source market since 2010, with nearly 2m visiting in 2019, comprising 24% of all tourists. These figures were up from 1.6m visitors and 22.7% of all arrivals in 2018. Visitors from China – the second-largest source market – also rose, from 1.3m in 2018 to over 1.7m in 2019, increasing from 17.6% to 21.1% of the total. Other major source markets are the US, with 1.1m visitors and 12.9% of the total, Japan (683,000, 8.3%) and Taiwan (327,000, 4%). Of the top-12 markets by volume, China was the fastest growing in 2019, with visitor numbers expanding by 38.6%, followed by Taiwan (35%), South Korea (22.5%) and Germany (12.7%).

Domestic Tourism

With an eye on reopening and recovery, in early September 2020 the government announced a gradual resumption of domestic tourism starting in October. “The year 2021 will be about local tourism,” Bernadette Romulo Puyat, secretary of tourism, told local press. Under the plan, domestic travel bubbles were created within specified regions to facilitate travel while adhering to health mandates. The popular island of Boracay, however, was opened to all domestic tourists, with travellers required to show a negative Covid-19 PCR test result and a confirmed booking with an accredited establishment. The government also encouraged Filipinos to take staycations in local hotels in some low-risk areas starting in May, gradually expanding to areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) – characterised by a lifting of the stay-at-home order, the resumption of limited public transport and the reopening of some establishments – in October. In mid-October it was also announced that some hotels in areas under GCQ, or the more relaxed modified GCQ, would be permitted to return to 100% operational capacity – subject to DOT approval and based on hotel compliance with safety guidelines.

Indeed, the volume of local tourists could even offset the loss of foreign tourists, according to a September 2020 report from the Asian Development Bank (ADB): around 8m Filipinos travelled abroad in 2018, exceeding the 7.1m international arrivals. In a positive sign for tourism players, 77% of 12,000 respondents to a DOT poll released in June reported a willingness to travel domestically upon the easing of restrictions. Participants stated a preference for destinations closer to home, although Boracay, Siargao and Baguio were also named as top destinations. With regard to priority tourism activities, beach trips ranked highest, selected by 69% of respondents as a likely reason for travel, followed by road trips (54%) and staycations (41%).

Health & Safety

Integral to the DOT’s efforts to reopen to both domestic and international tourists is ensuring health and safety; however, some hard-hit players have voiced concerns about their ability to finance the necessary changes to enable social distancing and enhance sanitation. To facilitate these alterations, in June 2020 the DOT and the Board of Investments (BOI) announced the approval of incentives to help entities upgrade and modernise tourism facilities to ensure the health of customers. Included in these incentives was a BOI-led, three-year income tax holiday, with the list of eligible project types including barriers and deionisers in transport, as well as the renovation of rooms and the installation of partitions, automatic doors and elevators, thermal scanners and ventilation in hotels. The DOT also issued new health-related guidelines for accommodation facilities, with protocols launched in late May for activities such as guest handling; housekeeping; food and beverage services; kitchen sanitation and disinfection; transport; and the treatment of symptomatic guests. In June the DOT and the Department of Trade and Industry issued recommendations for restaurants, such as advisories for delivery services, sanitation, and employee and customer health. As the country moved to reopen domestic tourism, in September the DOT issued rules for beaches and other island operations. Under the guidelines, visitors must present bookings at an accredited establishment upon arrival, with walk-in guests prohibited unless they are part of an organised day tour or present a return ticket for the same day.

The DOT worked to align its health-related protocols with international standards. In late September 2020 the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) gave the department the SafeTravels Stamp, certifying it complied with global health standards. This enabled the DOT to grant the stamp, in turn, to hotels, airlines, restaurants, tour operators, attractions and transport that follow the WTTC’s health and safety protocols.

Government Assistance

In response to Covid-19, President Rodrigo Duterte signed the first national stimulus package, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, into law in late March. The legislation, supported with P275bn ($5.5bn) of funding, granted the president emergency powers to address the pandemic.

The Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, or Bayanihan 2, was signed by President Duterte in mid-September 2020 and provided a further P165.5bn ($3.3bn) to aid recovery. This package specified a P10bn ($198.9m) allocation for the tourism industry and micro-, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs comprise around 99.9% of all accommodation and food service businesses, and will therefore be instrumental in the recovery of the tourism sector. Some P6bn ($119.3m) of this sum was designated for a loan programme: DOT-accredited MSMEs and businesses licensed by local government units will be prioritised for no-collateral, interest-free loans, payable in three years with a one-year grace period. P3bn ($59.7m) of the remaining assistance was earmarked for financial aid for displaced and unemployed tourism workers, with the remaining P1bn ($19.9m) for road infrastructure improvements.

The DOT has altered its marketing strategies to reflect the new reality. In April 2020 it launched the Travel from Home campaign, encouraging potential travellers to explore destinations virtually – including virtual backgrounds of top travel spots for video calls. The following month, it launched the Wake Up in the Philippines campaign, featuring videos from all 16 regions, 360-degree underwater virtual tours and instructional cooking videos from well-known Filipino chefs, to continue the promotion of local destinations. These campaigns followed the relaunch of It’s More Fun in the Philippines in 2019, which crowdsourced photos and videos to promote new travel destinations and highlight the importance of sustainable tourism.

Like much of the economy, the pandemic prompted the tourism industry to digitalise. In addition to marketing and online expos embracing trends like virtual meetings, in September 2020 the DOT digitalised its accreditation system, which certifies that enterprises adhere to minimum standards and environmental regulations. The portal handles accreditation requests, contactless transactions and government services, and features real-time application status notifications and online payments. The gateway aims to ease the burden on MSMEs, which often lack the resources of larger companies. There were 10,042 accredited tourism enterprises by mid-September, marking a 32.4% increase y-o-y, according to the DOT.

Technology is also being used to upskill tourism workers to enable them to capitalise on post-pandemic opportunities. In April the DOT launched an online training programme to help stakeholders manage pandemic-related challenges, aiming to enhance the quality of tourist services by analysing previous performance and unlocking the full potential of human capital.

Technology has also been used in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) segment. In late September 2020 the 19th Philippine Travel Exchange was held virtually, with 161 Filipino tourism service providers, 124 customers and 350 delegates in attendance. Participants from Africa, Europe and South America, as well as players from the region, signed into the online platform to generate P4.5m ($89,500) worth of future bookings. Highlighting the importance of the segment, in July the DOT announced it would allow MICE events in certain areas, at 50% capacity, with safety measures such as distanced seating, wide aisles and pre-packaged individual meals.

While 2020 proved to be a challenging year for tourism, the Philippines’ push to encourage domestic travel and staycations could provide a short-term cushion. Meanwhile, efforts to improve infrastructure and adjust to the new normal are readying hotels, tour operators and other service providers for the eventual return of international guests, expected in 2021.

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Travel advisory july 24, 2023, philippines - level 2: exercise increased caution.

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Country Summary : Terrorist and armed groups continue plotting possible kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist and armed groups may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities. The Philippine government has declared a “State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence in Mindanao.”

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to the Philippines.

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Tourism’s road to recovery

Revenge travel is in full swing three years after COVID-19 struck the Philippines, a momentum that the Department of Tourism (DOT) intends to maintain by dismantling the last of the health and safety protocols imposed on tourism establishments. Earlier this week, DOT issued Memorandum Circular 2023-0002 that lifted more pandemic era regulations to spur the rapid recovery of the critical tourism sector that was crippled by the extended lockdowns and stringent movement restrictions of previous years. Tourism establishments, for one, no longer need to install plastic or acrylic barriers and dividers in designated areas, nor are they required to display signs or visual cues on mandatory protocols. Guests, too, are no longer expected to wear face masks, nor are they required to present proof of full vaccination.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said doing away with these increasingly obsolete requirements “sends the important message that, under the Marcos Jr. administration, our country is open for tourism, and that we are keeping up with global practices on tourism operations that have already opened up worldwide.” Indeed, DOT has made a series of calibrated moves to fully reopen the battered tourism sector, one of President Marcos Jr.’s stated priorities during his first State of the Nation Address.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, the tourism sector contributed as much as P1 trillion to the economy in 2021, 9.2 percent more than its P917.2 billion earnings in 2020, when mobility restrictions were at their most stringent. The tourism industry, which covers hotels, food and beverage outlets, travel agencies, tour operators, retail establishments, tour guides, recreation, and transportation also employed 4.9 million in 2021, accounting for roughly 11 percent of total employment in the country. This meant that at least one in every 10 employed Filipinos was in the tourism sector. But the current figures have a long way to go to match DOT’s output in 2019, when it contributed P2.5 trillion to the economy and employed 5.7 million. This explains the rapid loosening of travel restrictions, as the Marcos Jr. administration struggles to attract at least 8.3 million tourists, the number of tourist arrivals in 2019 before the global health emergency hit the country.

To recall, Mr. Marcos signed in October last year Executive Order No. 7 that made the wearing of face masks voluntary throughout the country, except in critical areas such as in health care facilities and all types of public transport, to better compete for tourists against other countries that had long lifted their mask mandates. Since then, other strict requirements such as prior testing and mandatory quarantine had been removed, as was the issuance of safety seal and safe travels stamp to establishments complying with COVID-19 protocols.

But while packed hotels, restaurants, and incoming flights clearly indicate that the sector is fast regaining its pre-COVID vigor, Filipinos should not be lulled into thinking that the pandemic is over. On the contrary, COVID-19 remains a threat, as the Department of Health (DOH) keeps stressing. Reasonable caution should still be exercised lest new and more transmissible strains cause infection numbers to again spin out of control, and justify the reinstatement of painful protocols. Basic and easy-to-follow health and sanitation rules should remain in place to protect ourselves and others from contracting the virus that causes COVID-19 as well as other diseases. These include the thorough washing of hands, wearing a face mask when warranted, and voluntarily isolating one’s self or changing travel plans when symptoms of illness appear. The withholding of information about a traveler’s health status should not be tolerated.

One heartening note amid these precautions is the DOH’s pronouncement that 73.8 million Filipinos or 94.6 percent of the target population are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, which helps keep the country’s positivity rate well below the 5 percent deemed manageable by the World Health Organization.

Now that the pandemic restrictions have been lifted, the tourism sector should tackle the previous and recurring problems faced by domestic and international tourists. These include peace and security, which was dampened with the recent killing of a New Zealand tourist by robbers in Makati, and the bad image of our airports due to long queues and incidents of theft by airport personnel themselves. Improving tourism infrastructure to give travelers faster and easier access to our islands must also be given priority by the government.

Putting our house in order and remaining vigilant about the lingering threats of COVID-19 will inspire more confidence among travelers about coming into the country, thus giving the Philippines the best of both worlds: A tourism sector that is robust and fast recovering from the ravages of the pandemic, and a COVID-19 situation kept firmly under control.

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Philippine MICE Tourism Post-Covid 19: An Overview of Challenges and Opportunities

• Maria Arlene Tuazon Disimulacion Far Eastern University

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Marcos says tourist arrivals show PH tourism recovery

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has said the tourist arrivals in the country have proven the tourism industry's recovery.

In a speech delivered by Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco during the Tourism Summit 2024 on Monday, Marcos said the Department of Tourism (DOT) has been intensifying efforts to enhance tourism services in the country by implementing the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program.

More than two million tourist arrivals have been recorded in the first four months of the year, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

"These numbers, and the accompanying visible increase in economic activities and commerce across our famous destinations, are a testament to the industry's recovery," Marcos said.

"These also prove that the active participation of every stakeholder matters; that one's perseverance to acquire more skills, know-how, and networks makes a difference in our tourism agenda. At the same time, these numbers pose a challenge for us to translate these gains into tangible benefits – benefits for our people, our communities and our economy," he added.

In 2023, the DOT recorded 5.5 million inbound tourists, the PCO said, which is 15% higher than the 4.8 million target for the year.

Marcos also highlighted the contribution of the private sector to the country's tourism industry, which has made the Philippine destinations stand out from others.

"To the exemplary industry leaders, content creators, and key players who are making an impact in the tourism community: You are serving your country well with your exceptional work. You are also showing us what it takes, what it requires, to give the Philippines that edge over other destinations," Marcos said.

"Ladies and gentlemen, let us continue this partnership between the government and the private sector, working together to support our MSMEs, including those catering to the needs of the tourism industry," he added.

Marcos urged the private sector "to bring the rewards of a thriving tourism industry directly to the Filipino people" as he reminded them to always keep in mind the need to protect the environment, to care for all people, and to utilize the resources with great prudence.

In June last year, the DOT unveiled the Philippines' new tourism slogan, " Love the Philippines ."

"Love the Philippines" replaced "It's More Fun in the Philippines", the country's invitation to travelers since 2012. — VDV, GMA Integrated News

PBBM bats for sustained gov’t, private partnerships in tourism promotion

President Marcos underscored the importance of the continuing partnership between the government and the private sector to promote the country’s tourism industry.

In a speech delivered by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco during the Tourism Summit on Monday, May 13, the Chief Executive lauded the significant contribution of the private sector on the country’s tourism sector, noting how it has made Philippines destinations stand out from all the others.  

“To the exemplary industry leaders, content creators, and key players who are making an impact in the tourism community: You are serving your country well with your exceptional work. You are also showing us what it takes, what it requires, to give the Philippines that edge over other destinations,” the President said.  

Noting how the tourism industry contributed to revenue generation, job creation, and economic growth, Marcos applauded industry leaders, key players, and content creators.  

“Let us continue this partnership between the government and the private sector, working together to support our MSMEs, including those catering to the needs of the tourism industry,”he added.  

The Tourism Summit was led by non-profit organization Go Negosyo and its founder, Joey Concepcion, whom the President thanked for partnering with the government.  

Aside from Frasco, the summit was also attended by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.  

In his speech, Marcos urged the private sector “to bring the rewards of a thriving tourism industry directly to the Filipino people.”  

He also reminded them to protect the environment, care for all people, and utilize the resources accorded to them.  

“For, at the end of the day, we are not just entrepreneurs – we are all promoted advocates and protectors of our beautiful country. Only by being so can we make the Philippines a truly sustainable, inclusive, and resilient global tourism hub,” he said.  

In acknowledging the contribution of the tourism sector to the country’s economy, Marcos reported that the DOT is on track to realizing its goal under the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028, which outlines a clear part to establishing a sustainable, resilient, and competitive tourism industry.  

DOT’s Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program was given special mention in the President’s speech as it has enhanced the tourism services in the country.  

According to DOT’s report, the country has recorded 5.5 million inbound tourists in 2023. This is 15 percent higher than the 4.8 million target for the year.  

In the first four months of 2024, the country has already recorded more than two million tourist arrivals.  

“These numbers, and the accompanying visible increase in economic activities and commerce across our famous destinations, are a testament to the industry’s recovery,” Marcos said.  

“These also prove that the active participation of every stakeholder matters; that one’s perseverance to acquire more skills, know-how, and networks makes a difference in our tourism agenda,” he added.   

But even though the President is confident that the Tourism Summit will revive the country’s tourism industry, which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, he also stressed that challenges remain for the government to translate the recent gains in the sector into “tangible benefits” that will be felt by the people, communities, and the economy.

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