TOURIST ARRIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES HIT 6.48 MILLION AS RECOVERY CONTINUES

International arrivals in the Philippines reached 6.48 million in 2025, marking a strong post-pandemic recovery but still short of pre-pandemic levels of around eight million, the Department of Tourism (DOT) reported.

The Bureau of Immigration recorded 5.9 million foreign tourists, with the remainder consisting of other foreign travelers and overseas Filipinos, highlighting discrepancies with the government’s e-travel system.

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco attributed the gaps to travelers exempt from e-travel reporting, such as diplomats, cruise passengers, and chartered flight arrivals, and said the department is coordinating with relevant agencies to improve data accuracy.

Tourism growth is being driven by visitors from South Korea, the U.S., Japan, Australia, Canada, and India, while recent visa-free policies for Chinese tourists are expected to boost arrivals further.

Despite challenges like natural disasters and a limited marketing budget, the DOT continues promotional efforts and airport upgrades to streamline arrivals and support the country’s ongoing tourism recovery.

Source: PhilNews24 | January 22, 2026