Philippines among strongest travel destinations in H2

Philippines among strongest travel destinations in H2 – AirAsia

Elijah Felice Rosales 
Philstar Global
22 July 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Travelers are looking for opportunities to fly to foreign destinations in the second half, and this is going to benefit Philippine tourism, according to AirAsia’s booking platform.

Based on forward booking data from AirAsia MOVE, travelers are spending 35 percent more on flights than on their hotels, indicating they are scaling down on accommodation to afford higher airfares.

“The data suggests that travelers remain willing to invest in reaching their preferred destinations, while becoming more selective about where they stay,” MOVE said.

This is becoming evident in the kind of properties that travelers are choosing to stay in. Three in four hotel bookings in the second half are on three- and four-star hotels, as guests try to avoid the premium brands for now.

MOVE also said travelers are regaining the confidence to make forward bookings more than 120 days ahead of departure. They are planning itineraries to Asia’s most popular destinations, with Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand topping the list.

As fares remain elevated, MOVE noted that two in five flights are booked between the 25th and fifth days of the month, closely aligning with the salary cycles in Asia.

“The pattern suggests that while travelers often begin researching and planning earlier, many of them choose to make the trip closer to payday periods, reflecting a more disciplined approach to discretionary spending,” MOVE said.

Travelers are likely to maintain this level of financial planning until the end of the year given the volatility of the aviation market, with jet fuel prices still hovering above $100 per barrel.

There is also a growing preference to go to international destinations that are within four hours of flight time. MOVE said this allows travelers to maximize their travel budgets and time.

To date, MOVE recorded a 14-percent increase in overseas flights under four hours. MOVE said if this trend holds, it will benefit markets with the widest networks of regional flights.

By demographics, MOVE said millennials are driving air travel these days, as it traces 43 percent of its bookings to individuals between 30 and 45.

Combined with the Gen Z demand, MOVE said two-thirds of bookings in its platform are made by younger travelers, strengthening the belief that travel is a necessity to them.

PH 3rd safest destination for Travelers in 2025 - Travelbag

Philippines Ranks Third Safest Destination for Travelers in 2025, According to Travelbag

Christa I. De La Cruz 
Esquire Philippines
10 July 2025

Research by travel booking platform Travelbag revealed that the world's safest destination for travelers in 2025 is Thailand, with the Philippines ranking third in the list.

For many travelers, feeling safe is just as important as the destination. Whether it's a quiet solo trip, a family adventure, or a romantic getaway, knowing that you won't be robbed at gunpoint anytime soon makes a big difference. The long-haul travel platform examined safety ratings, crime levels, and how safe people feel walking around both day and night based on data from Numbeo.

The Philippines, with its thousands of islands, rich culture, and famously friendly people, is increasingly viewed as a safe choice for tourists. The Travelbag report gives the Philippines solid scores: 72.39 for "Safety walking during daylight" and 54.34 for "Safety walking at night." Its "Level of crime" is noted at 44.56. These numbers suggest a country where you can enjoy adventure with growing peace of mind.

This positive ranking comes as the Philippines actively works to improve tourism and safety. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and local governments focus on traveler safety. For instance, cities like Dumaguete and Davao have been named among the safest in the country for 2025 by the World Travel Index. They scored well for day and night safety, low crime rates, and strong public trust in authorities. Dumaguete earned a Safety Index score of 81.36, making it the highest among Philippine cities and ranking 1097th globally. Davao City in Davao Del Sur, which used to be the first on the list, came in second with a Safety Index score of 80.73. Bulacan, Balanga (Bataan), Lucena (Quezon), Naga City (Camarines Sur), Baguio City, Puerto Princesa, Legazpi City, and Makati City round up the top 10 in the Philippines.

The DOT is also planning to establish Tourist First Aid Facilities in popular tourist destinations like La Union, Boracay Island, Siargao Island, Panglao Island, Palawan, and Puerto Galera. These locations will have medical staff ready to help.

Pinoys are Asia's most sustainability-conscious travelers

Pinoy travelers most sustainability-minded

Aric John Sy Cua
Manila Times
20 March 2025

FILIPINO travelers believe that sustainability is important in their travel choices this year, according to a survey by the digital travel platform Agoda.

The country's travelers topped the list of Asia's most sustainability-conscious travelers, with 86 percent responding favorably to having sustainability in travel for 2025, higher than the average for all Asian travelers combined at 68 percent.

Agoda also revealed that Filipinos are also motivated by the opportunity to have a positive contribution to local communities (25 percent) and authentic experiences (22 percent) being their primary motivation for sustainable travel.

"This trend underscores a broader movement towards travel that is not only enjoyable but also meaningful and impactful," it said.

In addition, 18 percent of the country's travelers prefer to "mitigate their impact on the environment by traveling during off-peak seasons to alleviate overcrowding," 17 percent prefer accommodations with sustainability certifications, while 19 percent pack reusable items such as shopping bags to reduce waste.

"It's inspiring to see Filipino travelers actively making choices that leave a positive impact on the destinations they visit," Agoda Philippines Country Director Michael Hwang said.

Apart from the Philippines, Agoda's top 5 list also includes travelers from India (82 percent), Taiwan (80 percent), Malaysia (80 percent), and Vietnam (77 percent).

The survey engaged 6,000 travelers in 11 Asian markets, and highlighted the "evolving landscape of sustainable travel" in the continent.

Cebu among top pet-friendly cities in Asia

Cebu among top pet-friendly cities in Asia

Morexette Marie B. Erram

Cebu Daily News

29 January 2025

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Fantastic news for fur parents who want to visit the Queen City of the South with their four-legged loved ones.

Cebu City was named among the top pet-friendly cities in Asia for 2024.

Online travel platform Agoda recently revealed their list of top 10 pet-friendly cities in the region, with Cebu ranked second, next to Vietnam’s coastal city Da Nang.

Rounding up the top five are Vietnam’s Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Tainan in Taiwan respectively.

Manila, the country’s capital, landed on the 10th spot. Aside from Manila, completing the top ten were Pattaya (Thailand), Taichung (Taiwan), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and New Delhi (India).

According to Agoda, their list of pet-friendly cities is based on the average number of accommodations that allow guests to bring in their pets.

In addition, the Singapore-based firm observed an increase in pet travel in Asia, particularly among Millennials and Gen Z.

They recorded a 64 percent growth pet-friendly properties in 2024.

“Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge as they embrace pet parenthood and splurge on their furry friends, according to a recent study by Allied Market Research,” they added.

Philippines wins Five major awards in WTA 2024 in Portugal

Philippines named as the world's leading dive destination at 2024 World Travel Awards

Story by Melanie Uson 
Philstar Life
28 November 2024

The Philippines has been awarded as the world’s leading dive destination for the sixth time. 

DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco shared the good news during the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s launch of their Philippine Dive Experience (PhiDex) on Nov. 28. 

“For the sixth consecutive year, the World Travel Awards (WTA) considered the Oscars of the travel industry, has just awarded the Philippines as the world's leading dive destination for 2024,” Garcia Frasco said.  

The prestigious award-giving body recognized the country during its Grand Final Gala Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 27 (Philippine time) at Madeira, Portugal. DOT’s Gerard Panga received the award.

The Philippines bested 10 other nominated destinations, including the Maldives, Belize, and the Cayman Islands. It also bagged five other awards this year. Boracay was named the World's Leading Luxury Island Destination 2024, Amanpulo the World’s Leading Dive Resort, and Manila the World's Leading City Destination 2024. 

Meanwhile, the City of Dreams in Pasay was awarded the World’s Leading Casino Resort, and the DOT as the World's Leading Tourist Board 2024. 

The recognition was based on public votes and validation from the group’s panel of travel professionals. 

The Philippines has consistently been recognized with the same recognition since 2019. It was also recently recognized as Asia’s leading dive destination during the Asia and Oceania gala ceremony in September this year.  

Since its creation in 1993, the WTA has been globally recognized as the "ultimate hallmark of excellence" in the tourism and hospitality industries. It covers country awards, regional awards, and world awards. 

Philippines ranks third-best destination for longer vacations

The Philippines Ranks Third Best for Extended Travels

Esquire Philippines
17 October 2024

The Philippines ranks as the third-best destination for longer vacations among 100 countries analyzed by the global e-commerce platform Ubuy. The countries were evaluated based on their affordability, cultural richness, safety, and travel convenience.

The research focused on countries with a search volume greater than 1,000,000 and incorporated additional data on geographic size, the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and popular attractions.

To assess financial feasibility, the costs for a 20-day hotel stay and dining were considered, while crime index data and the quality of domestic transportation were examined to ensure security and convenience. The study utilized data from the latest reports (2023-2024), with pricing and safety information updated through August 2024. Countries were ranked based on a combined score of different factors, highlighting the best destinations for extended vacations.

The Philippines garnered an overall score of 55.74. With a 20-day stay priced at $943, it is the second-cheapest option after Vietnam. The Philippines also boasts a five-month tourist season and a moderate crime index of 42.8, making it a safe and appealing destination for long vacations, according to Ubuy.

Vietnam tops the list with a score of 64.31, making it the best destination for longer vacations. The country offers the lowest hotel prices for a 20-day stay at just $827, making it especially attractive to budget-conscious travelers. Vietnam also has an extensive tourist season lasting 12 months, allowing visitors to explore the country year-round with 250 popular attractions.

India takes the second spot with a score of 61.17. The country stands out for its cultural richness, boasting 40 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the highest of any country in the study. India also has the greatest number of popular attractions, totaling around 700. Despite higher hotel costs than Vietnam, India offers the cheapest dining, with a three-course meal for two priced at just $14.29.

Sri Lanka ranks fourth with a score of 42.28. The country is notable for its high density of UNESCO sites, featuring eight sites within a compact area of 65,610 square kilometers—the smallest on the list. Although hotel prices are higher at $1,630, Sri Lanka's rich cultural heritage and unique experiences make it a standout choice for history enthusiasts.

Thailand scores 42.13, securing fifth place. It offers a diverse array of attractions with 300 popular sites and a year-round tourist season. The cost of a 20-day stay is $1,619, which is slightly higher than in the Philippines but more affordable than in Sri Lanka.

South Korea claims the sixth spot on the list with a score of 38.28. The country is notable for its dense concentration of cultural sites, boasting the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and popular attractions per 1,000 square kilometer. South Korea excels in transportation, with the second-highest score for domestic travel quality at 5.7. With the second-lowest crime rate at 24.9, South Korea offers both safety and convenience for travelers.

Japan follows in seventh place with a score of 34.85. The country has 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 500 popular attractions, ranking it as the second-largest on the list. Although Japan is one of the most expensive destinations, with a 20-day stay costing $2,308 and dining priced at $40.31, it boasts an exceptional domestic transportation system, scoring a perfect 6, and the lowest crime index at 22.6.

Saudi Arabia ranks eighth with a score of 34.24. The country offers a 12-month tourist season and a strong domestic transportation score of 5.4, the third-highest on the list. Although it has fewer cultural sites, with only six UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 70 popular attractions, Saudi Arabia provides an affordable 20-day stay at $2,075 and boasts the third-lowest crime index at 26.9.

Mexico takes the ninth spot with a score of 28.20. The country is rich in cultural heritage, featuring 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 300 popular attractions. With a 12-month tourist season, Mexico is an appealing year-round option, though travelers may need to consider its higher crime index of 53.8 when planning their visit.

Turkey rounds out the top ten with a score of 27.11. While the country has relatively higher hotel costs at $2,570 for a 20-day stay, its 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 350 popular attractions make it a compelling destination for those interested in a longer vacation. Turkey also distinguishes itself with a well-developed transportation system, scoring 5.2, and a moderate crime index of 40.9.

A spokesperson from Ubuy commented on the study: "Opting for longer vacations allows travelers to fully immerse themselves in a destination, experiencing its culture, history, and local life beyond the surface. Locations offering low accommodation costs and various year-round attractions provide great value for travelers. Cultural heritage, especially in areas with a high concentration of UNESCO sites, adds significant appeal, particularly when paired with budget-friendly dining options. Advanced transportation systems and low crime rates further enhance the experience, ensuring convenience and security. The balance of these factors across different destinations allows for a diverse range of options that cater to various traveler preferences, making each destination uniquely attractive for longer stays."

Philippines: A Rising Star in Travel & Tourism

The Philippines: A Rising Star in Travel & Tourism with Lucrative Opportunities

Travel & World Tour
Monday, July 15, 2024

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) forecasts a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in the Philippines. The sector’s economic contribution, job numbers, and visitor spending are all expected to reach new highs.

Economic Contribution

The sector’s contribution to the national economy is set to surpass ₱5.4 trillion this year, marking an almost 25% year-on-year growth and soaring 7.1% above the previous 2019 peak. Travel & Tourism now represents more than one-fifth (21.3%) of the country’s economy, highlighting its critical role in supporting the nation and local communities.

Employment and Visitor Spending

Employment in the sector is projected to exceed 9.5 million jobs, accounting for 20% of the national workforce. Both international and domestic visitor spending are also set to break records, reaching ₱715.6 billion and ₱3.7 trillion respectively, surpassing 2019 levels by 5.7% and 1.8%.

Infrastructure and Government Efforts

This growth underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing tourism infrastructure. Efforts are underway to upgrade regional airports to alleviate congestion at Manila’s main airport and make travel more accessible. Julia Simpson, World Travel & Tourism Council President & CEO, commented on the progress: “The remarkable progress of the Philippines’ Travel & Tourism sector highlights the government’s dedication, putting it at the forefront of its national agenda and continuing to improve infrastructure. This unwavering commitment has not only driven economic growth but also enhanced the global standing of the Philippines as a top travel destination.”

2023 Recap and Future Projections

In 2023, the Philippines’ Travel & Tourism sector grew by 83.6% to reach ₱4.34 trillion, representing 17.9% of the country’s total economic output, though it remained 14% below 2019 levels. The sector created over 608,000 new jobs, bringing the total to nearly 9 million, still trailing 2019 levels by 5.4%. Both international and domestic spending saw significant increases, growing by 104.2% and 83.4% to reach nearly ₱630 billion and ₱2.9 trillion respectively.

Looking ahead, World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that by 2034, the sector will grow its annual GDP contribution to nearly ₱9.5 trillion, 22% of the Philippines’ economy. Employment in the sector is projected to exceed 11.9 million people, with one in five residents working in Travel & Tourism.

Southeast Asia Outlook

This year, Southeast Asia’s Travel & Tourism sector is projected to grow by 20.6% to reach ₱21 trillion, representing 9.7% of the region’s economy and surpassing the 2019 peak. Jobs are expected to reach over 42.4 million, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.6% and surpassing 2019 levels. International spending is set to grow by 33.2% to hit ₱8.6 trillion, while domestic visitor spending is set to grow by almost 15.8% to reach ₱10.3 trillion.

World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that Travel & Tourism across the region will continue to grow over the next decade with GDP contribution set to reach almost ₱36 trillion. Jobs are forecast to exceed 56.5 million, creating more than 14 million new jobs.

This research was carried out in partnership with Oxford Economics, with information sourced from UN Tourism (formerly UNWTO), Oxford Economics, and authoritative national databases. All values are in constant 2023 prices and exchange rates, as reported in March 2024, and given in ₱.

About World Travel & Tourism Council

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs, and Presidents of the world’s leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, World Travel & Tourism Council has been committed to raising awareness among governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector.

South Korea, Philippines Expand Air Services Agreement

South Korea, Philippines Expand Air Services Agreement

David Casey 
Aviation Week
July 08, 2024

South Korea and the Philippines have agreed to expand international air services between the two countries.

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) finalized on July 4 allows for an increase in capacity between Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) and Seoul Incheon International Airport (ICN) to 30,000 weekly seats. Previously, airlines could operate up to 20,000 weekly seats on routes from Manila to South Korea. 

Limits on flights from Manila to other points in South Korea have meanwhile been removed. 

The updated arrangement liberalizes third and fourth freedoms, allowing more passenger traffic between the capital cities and increasing overall connectivity. Additionally, flights from points outside Manila to all points in South Korea remaining unrestricted should enhance regional connectivity and benefit local economies in both countries.

South Korea is the Philippines’ main source of international visitors, with incoming Korean tourists reaching 1.4 million in 2023. According to the Philippine Department of Tourism, there had already been more than 680,000 arrivals from South Korea this year by May 2024, accounting for around one in four foreign tourists arriving to the Philippines.

This latest MOU replaces a previous agreement signed in 2017. 

Additionally, the Philippine government has proposed an amendment to allow airlines designated by the Philippines to operate based on having their principal place of business in the country. Although no agreement was reached, both parties agreed to revisit the issue in future discussions. They also plan to discuss South Korea’s proposal to permit third-country codesharing arrangements.

Jeju Air is the largest provider of capacity between South Korea and the Philippines at present, OAG Schedules Analyser figures show, accounting for a 20.4% share of all seats. Korean Air has a 14.9% share, followed by Philippine Airlines on 13.9%. Asiana Airlines (12.5%) and Jin Air (9.7%) complete the top five.

Analysis of the data reveals that there are 11 nonstop routes currently operating in the market—five of which are from ICN to Cebu, Clark, Kalibo, Manila and Tagbilaran. Alongside ICN, MNL is connected to two other points in South Korea through services from Busan and Cheongju.

David Casey is Editor in Chief of Routes, the global route development community's trusted source for news and information.

Philippines travel industry heading toward record high

Philippines travel industry heading toward record high P5.4 trillion

Story by Elijah Felice Rosales
Philstar Global 
29 June 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine travel industry is heading toward an all-time high value of P5.4 trillion this year, propelled by efforts to boost tourism in the provinces and upgrade aviation infrastructure.

Based on forecast by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the country will grow its travel and tourism to new highs in 2024, particularly on economic contribution, job generation and visitor spending.

WTTC projects travel’s contribution to the economy to rise by almost a quarter to P5.4 trillion this year, from P4.34 trillion in 2023.

Likewise, travel will generate at least 9.5 million jobs for Filipinos, comprising one in every five of the labor force. Also, domestic visitor spending is seen to go up to P3.7 trillion, while foreign tourist expenditure is estimated to hit P715.6 billion.

WTTC president and CEO Julia Simpson said travel would benefit from public and private efforts to upgrade regional airports. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is investing P14 billion for the development and reconstruction of provincial gateways this year.

Similarly, the DOTr is arranging public-private partnership contracts for the upgrade of airports in Bacolod, Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa and Siargao.

Apart from this, Simpson said travel would gain from the impending turnover of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. led by San Miguel Corp.

The DOTr is set to hand over NAIA to the consortium by September, and from there the airport will undergo a P170.6 billion rehabilitation in the next 15 years.

WTTC estimates that travel and tourism will raise about P9.5 trillion for the Philippine economy by 2034. By then, the industry will take up 22 percent of the economy, creating jobs for as many as 11.9 million, sustaining one in every five Filipinos.

Regionally, WTTC believes Southeast Asia will grow its travel segment by 21 percent to hit P21 trillion this year. Additionally, jobs in travel and tourism will balloon to 42.4 million, expanding the role of the industry in livelihood generation.

The government is working on the improvement of transport infrastructure across the Philippines to enhance inter-island connectivity, benefitting industries reliant on tourism.

For one, the rehabilitation and upgrade of NAIA is expected to increase the passenger capacity of the airport to 62 million a year, from 32 million at present.

Tourism growth highest in 2023

PSA: Tourism hit highest growth at 47.9% in 2023

Story by Mariedel Irish U. Catilogo
Inquirer.net
19 June 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The local tourism sector grew by a record-high 47.9 percent to P2.09 trillion from P1.41 trillion in 2022, propelled by the surge in expenditures by tourists visiting the country.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday that the tourism sector’s contribution to the economy rose to 8.6 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023, an increase from the 6.4 percent share in 2022.

The tourism sector’s contribution to the country’s economy is defined as the tourism direct gross value added, which is generated by tourism industries and other industries of the economy that directly serve visitors.

“Among the forms of tourism expenditures, inbound tourism expenditure [or tourism expenses of a nonresident or foreign visitor] posted the highest annual growth of 87.7 percent, amounting to P697.46 billion in 2023,” the statistics agency said.

Meanwhile, domestic tourism expenditures, which include spending of residents traveling within the country, amounted to P2.67 trillion in 2023. This was higher by 2.3 percent from the P1.55 trillion in 2022.

Outbound tourism expenditures or the spending of residents traveling abroad increased by 10 percent to P208.25 billion in 2023 from P189.29 billion in 2022.

Internal tourism expenditure, comprising inbound and domestic tourism expenditure, grew by 75.3 percent to P3.36 trillion in 2023 from P1.92 trillion in 2022.

Employment in the tourism sector was estimated at 6.21 million in 2023, up by 6.4 percent from the 5.84 million recorded in 2022. This equates to 12.9 percent of total employment in 2023, highlighting the value of the tourism sector to the overall economy. INQ

Philippines named Destination of the Year at Asia Dive Expo

Philippines hailed as Sustainable Dive Destination of the Year at Asia Dive Expo

Jan Milo Severo 
Philstar.com
April 25, 2024 

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines was named as Sustainable Dive Destination of the Year at Asia Dive Expo in Singapore, in recognition of its unwavering commitment to environmental conservation and sustainable practices in dive tourism.

“This recognition, alongside our long list of accolades celebrating the beauty of our nation, underscores our steadfast commitment to sustainable tourism practices,” said Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. 

“Participation in trade fairs like ADEX provides us a platform to promote the Philippines’ diverse tourism products and experiences. Moving forward, we will continue to work hand in hand with local communities and dive operators to ensure sustainable practices are followed so that our country’s treasures will still be enjoyed by future generations in the years to come,” she added. 

The country’s participation in the expo, known as Asia’s largest and longest-running dive expo, was a resounding success after a three-day business-to-consumer session, generating P197,219,062.09 in combined negotiated sales leads and actual bookings. This marked more than 300% increase from last year’s negotiated sales leads. 

As the event’s official country partner for the third consecutive year, the Philippine pavilion utilized a 90-square-meter booth space to feature some of the country’s finest dive sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan, the famed sardine run of Moalboal in Cebu, and the marine and natural park of Apo Reef in Mindoro.

The Philippine delegation, led by the TPB, is composed of 16 exhibitors from the dive industry, accommodation, and tour operators, including Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort and Spa, Thresher Shark Divers, Infiniti Liveaboard Inc., El Galleon Resort/Asia Divers, Scandi Divers, M.Y. Resolute, Kasai Village Dive Resort, Logon Fish Buddies Diveshop, Earth Explorers Travel and Tours, Aiyanar Beach and Dive Resort, Fun & Sun Dive & Travel, Boracay Adventures Travel N Tours/Fisheye Divers, Sea Explorers Philippines, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Bohol Beach Club, and Atlantis Dive Resorts and Liveaboards, who offered dive and liveaboard packages in the top and emerging dive destinations in the Philippines. 

In a series of talks and panel discussions, Ram Yoro, a renowned underwater photographer, cave diving expert, Filipino scuba instructor, and author of "Guide to Anilao," shared insights on the Best of Philippine diving to further establish and sustain the country’s reputation as one of the world’s best diving destinations. Other Filipinos also represented the country on several panel stages including renowned underwater photographers, Bo Mancao and Alex Santos, and distinguished sustainability advocates, Cat Trivino and Antoinette Taus.

The TPB has been participating in ADEX for more than ten years which has been significant in ensuring that Singapore remains one of the country’s top source markets.

Manila to Vietnam Direct flights

Vietnam Airlines Launches Direct Flights to Manila

Story by Bea Faicol 
Spot.ph
16 April 2024

It's been a hot topic in travel-centric groups how daily expenses when traveling in other countries are almost the same price—if not cheaper—compared to our daily expenses in the Philippines. Take Vietnam, for example. There, a budget of P3,500 can cover your accommodation, activities, and food for a day.

If you'd rather go abroad and been meaning to visit North Vietnam (Hanoi) or South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), here's a bit of good news: Vietnam Airlines will soon launch direct flights to those destinations  from Manila this June.

Vietnam Airlines to launch direct flights between Manila and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City:

Vietnam Airlines, Vietnam's flag carrier, announced on their Facebook page that they will soon have direct flights connecting Manila with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City starting June 17. Before this launch, Vietnam Airlines offered flights to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but with layovers.

The Manila-Hanoi flights will have three flights weekly, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, with flight numbers VN 646 going to Hanoi and VN 647 going to Manila, using the Airbus A321 for both routes. The flights to Hanoi are scheduled from 05:20 a.m. to 07:30 a.m., while the flights going back are from 00:05 a.m. to 04:20 a.m.

The Manila-Ho Chi Minh City flights will have four flights weekly, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with flight numbers VN 648 going to Ho Chi Minh City and VN 649 going back to Manila, using the Airbus A321 for both routes. The flights to Ho Chi Minh City are scheduled from 05:20 a.m. to 07:30 a.m., while the flights going back are from 00:50 a.m. to 04:20 a.m.

Vietnam Airlines promo for the Manila to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi flights:

In preparation for the launch, Vietnam Airlines has a promo where you can get roundtrip tickets with a starting price of VND 3,549,000 or P8,026. The purchase period is until June 23 while the travel or flight period starts on June 17 until 23.

There's a separate promo for the opening month, with a travel period until July 17. You can get a Manila-Hanoi roundtrip flight for USD 208 or P11847.16, while a Manila-Ho Chi Minh City roundtrip ticket has a starting price of USD 174 or P9,910.61.

For more information, check out Vietnam Airlines' Facebook page.

Philippines Gunning for Seven Travel Awards

'Asia’s Best': Philippines up for 7 awards for 2024 World Travel Awards

Rosette Adel 
Philstar.com
April 9, 2024

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippines is once again among the nominees as "Asia's Best" at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2024.

This year, it is competing for at least seven accolades for the WTA, the London-based awarding body that recognizes excellence in the travel and tourism industry. The Philippines’ nomination includes the following:

Asia’s Leading Beach Destination

Asia’s Leading Dive Destination

Asia’s Leading Island Destination

Intramuros - Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction

Boracay - Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination

Cebu - Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination

Department of Tourism - Asia’s Leading Tourist Board

The awarding body hails tourism’s best in three tiers: country, regional and world awards across different categories.  Established in 1993, it is touted as the “Oscars” of the travel industry.

For Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, the accolades of the Philippines highlight the efforts of her agency under the current administration.

She is thankful for the WTA body for providing the Philippines a platform “to continuously showcase our diverse tourism offerings not only within Asia but on the global stage.”

“…Most importantly, we express our thanks to our tourism stakeholders who continue to safeguard the myriad of tourism gems in the Philippines for all the world to love and enjoy,” Frasco said in a statement.

"While winning these accolades adds prestige to our endeavors, they also translate into livelihood opportunities for millions of Filipinos whose well-being depends on tourism. We aim to maintain and surpass the strides we've made since taking office, ensuring sustained growth in the country's tourism sector," she added.

Frasco also cited that 2023 was a banner year for the Philippines after it bagged several recognitions from WTA.

It won the World’s Leading Dive Destination for the fifth year since 2019 while Philippine capital, Manila, was named the World’s Leading City Destination.

The Philippines also took home the Global Tourism Resilience award, an inaugural award from the WTA about the “global leadership, pioneering vision, and innovation to overcome critical challenges and adversity.” Four other countries received this award, serving as benchmarks for best practices in tourism resilience.

Likewise, the Philippines was hailed the Destination of the Year by online travel platform TripZilla at the 2023 TripZilla Excellence Awards as well as Asia’s Best Cruise Destination by the WTA.

The public can vote for the Philippines until July 28, 2024, through https://www.worldtravelawards.com/vote.

Philippines has the Best Islands in Asia-Pacific

Boracay, Palawan named among ‘Best Islands in Asia-Pacific’

Story by Ghio Ong

28 March 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Two island destinations in the Philippines were included in the 10 “Best Islands in Asia-Pacific” by a foreign travel magazine.

DestinAsian based in Singapore listed Boracay and Palawan as among the “Best Islands” in its 17th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards this year.

Boracay ranked fifth while Palawan was ninth.

A photo of paraw boats sailing amid the sunset in Boracay was featured.

Palawan was highlighted with a photo of limestone cliffs surrounded by clear blue and green waters.

In a Facebook post, the municipal tourism office of Malay town in Aklan attributed the recognition to the “collaborative efforts “ of the local government of Malay, the tourism office, stakeholders and local volunteers who make Boracay Island “better than ever. “

As of March 26, at least 499,120 tourists, 137,800 of them foreigners and 7,131 overseas Filipinos have visited Boracay this year, according to the tourism office.

Bali in Indonesia topped DestinAsian’s 10 “Best Islands” list, followed by Maldives, Phuket and Koh Samui in Thailand, Boracay, Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Langkawi and Penang in Malaysia, Palawan, and Lombok in Indonesia.

The result of this year’s DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Award was “a roll call of 230 properties that the voters deemed to be the top places to stay in the region, compiled alongside favorite cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines and more,” the magazine said.