[International] Philippines' Nearly One-Year Visa-Free Trial Sees 12% Growth in Taiwanese Tourists in First 5 Months
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bellala 央廣＠＠3h ago
The latest statistics from the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) show that from January to May this year, Taiwanese tourists to the Philippines exceeded 90,000, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. Taiwan ranks 7th among the main international tourist source countries for the Philippines, and industry insiders believe that the visa-free measure may be one of the driving factors.
According to DOT data, the Philippines welcomed a total of 2,526,629 foreign tourists from January to May this year, an 8.34% increase compared to the same period in 2025.
In terms of major source markets, South Korea remains the largest source of international tourists to the Philippines, with 499,944 arrivals in the first five months of this year, accounting for 18.24% of the total foreign tourists. However, this is a 9.58% decrease compared to the same period last year.
The United States ranks second with 480,813 tourists, an 8.50% year-on-year increase, accounting for 17.54% of foreign tourists. Japan ranks third with 204,726 tourists, a 7.89% increase, accounting for 7.47% of foreign tourists.
Chinese tourists rank fourth with 186,860 arrivals, a 63.2% increase compared to the same period last year, marking the highest growth rate among the top 10 international tourism markets. Australia and Canada rank fifth and sixth, respectively.
Taiwan ranks seventh, with 93,727 arrivals to the Philippines from January to May this year, accounting for 3.42% of the Philippines' foreign tourist market. This is a 12% increase from 83,685 arrivals in the same period last year. In terms of monthly performance, Taiwanese tourists reached a peak of 27,463 in February, the highest single month so far this year.
The DOT has not analyzed the reasons for the growth in Taiwanese tourists, but the Philippines has been piloting a 14-day visa-free treatment for Taiwanese travelers since July last year, which industry insiders believe may be a driving factor. The visa-free measure for Taiwan is set to expire at the end of June this year, and industry insiders have stated that some Taiwanese citizens have already begun inquiring about its extension.
Other countries in the top 10 international tourism markets include the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India.
Philippine Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Cristobal-Uy recently stated at an event hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce that the Philippine government is promoting various measures, including improving transportation connectivity, expanding tourism experiences, and encouraging active participation from the private sector in tourism industry development.
She emphasized that tourism begins with transportation accessibility. If it is difficult for tourists to reach their destinations, developing tourism will be twice as effective with half the effort. Therefore, the DOT will collaborate with the Department of Transportation, airlines, and tourism operators to actively open new routes.
In addition to enhancing transportation convenience, the Philippine government will also strengthen the development of high-value-added tourism markets, including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), culinary tourism, wellness and health tourism, educational tourism, and retirement tourism.
Cristobal-Uy stated that the Philippines' goal is not only to attract more tourists but also to hope that their every visit will be longer, with more spending, and deeper interaction with local communities. (Editor: Chung Chin-lung)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=215574
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