Powered by

Home Industry Insights Philippines Targets Indian Tourism Boom with Visa-Free Travel and Direct Flights

Philippines Targets Indian Tourism Boom with Visa-Free Travel and Direct Flights

With its picturesque island destinations, the Philippines also aims to attract Indian filmmakers to set films there, Ambassador Josel F Ignacio noted

By BWT Online
New Update
The Philippines

The Philippines is positioning itself as a leading Southeast Asian tourist destination for Indians, with initiatives such as visa-free travel and direct flights, a senior Philippine official has said.

In a significant step to boost regional connectivity between India and the Philippines, Air India's direct flights from Delhi to Manila began operating from October 1, the official noted. The Philippines introduced visa-free travel for Indians in June, allowing a 14-day stay for tourism. “Together with our visa-free regime for Indian travellers and the resumption of direct flights between India and the Philippines after ten years, we are ready to welcome you,” said Josel F Ignacio, the Philippines' Ambassador to India. This ease of travel with a direct flight means that you do not lose a day.

“This will be an incentive for more Indians to travel to the Philippines,” the senior diplomat told reporters. He added that for Indians with rising incomes, travel decisions are guided by two factors: ease of obtaining a visa and direct flights.

“The Philippines is a fun destination. With its beaches, food and drinks, there is something for everyone,” he said. Harsh Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, who welcomed the direct flight to Manila, said talks are underway with other airlines to commence direct flights between India and the Philippines.

In 2024, around 79,000 Indian tourists travelled to the Philippines. In the first nine months of 2025, their number stood at around 66,000, according to a Philippines Tourism Board official, Faye Agatha Mendoza. Christina Garcia Frasco, the Philippines’ Tourism Secretary since 2022, said there is substantial potential to increase Indian tourist footfall. “The Philippines is a destination like no other, with over 7,600 islands, immense biodiversity and a wealth of rich cultural and heritage experiences available to visitors,” Frasco said, adding that she looked forward to more direct flights to key Indian cities.

The Philippines is the second-largest archipelago in the world, comprising more than 7,600 islands, with around a quarter of them inhabited. With its picturesque island destinations, the Philippines also aims to attract Indian filmmakers to set films there, Ambassador Ignacio noted. In August, India and the Philippines announced their strategic partnership following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and visiting Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr in Delhi.