Philippines on track for 6.4mln tourist arrivals in 2026 despite fuel prices: tourism secretary

The Philippines is likely to reach its target of at least 6.4 milion international visitor arrivals this year, despite high fuel prices and airfares, indicated the country’s Secretary of Tourism, Dita Angara-Mathay. “I was really super anxious about the fuel prices” and “the accompanying higher airline fees, etc. and the lower sentiment for travelling,” the secretary was cited saying by local media outlets. “I was afraid that it [volume] will go down, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we can match it,” she said, referring to 2026 forecasts. Maybank IB Research said in a Monday summary: “The Department of Tourism expressed confidence in meeting its full-year target of 6.4-million to 6.8-million international visitor arrivals, supported by strong travel demand expected in the fourth quarter.” The country has been eyeing attracting more Chinese tourists. Recent tourism department data indicated the China-originating tourist segment posted the largest increase in visitor arrivals from January to August, with 310,088 Chinese entering the Philippines, up circa 70 percent from a year earlier. Secretary Angara-Mathay nonetheless acknowledged the importance of ensuring visitor safety. “What we’ll do is get the tourists but make sure that there are safety nets,” she was cited as saying at the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines event last week. Among measures reportedly being considered is the designation of tour operators and guides specifically for Chinese travellers to help address safety concerns. The Philippine Department of Tourism has already said it wants to expand a 14-day visa-free entry programme to cover Chinese tourists arriving at secondary airports serving some of the country’s major attractions, including Boracay island. Kaban Hotel and Casino Boracay, described as the first Boracay casino-hotel venue to be licensed by the country’s gaming regulator, had a soft opening on September 16, as confirmed to GGRAsia by a property representative. According to the reports, Ms Angara-Mathay earlier proposed expanding the visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese tourists to other gateways, including Clark, Caticlan, Palawan and Bohol. Clark, on Luzon island, is also a casino-resort hub Currently the visa-free arrangement is available only through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu, per the news updates on the topic. Cebu is also home to casino resort business. The secretary additionally said her department was working to increase charter flights between the Philippines and China, including connections to cities farther inland. So far, she said more than 10 additional charter flights have been arranged.