Key Moments:
- The Department of Tourism has advocated for relaxed visa restrictions to counter a significant decline in Chinese visitor numbers this year.
- Current limitations include restricted visa slots for free independent travelers and limited weekly group visa applications.
- The Philippines aims to emulate ASEAN neighbors by making visa issuance smoother in partnership with foreign affairs agencies.
Efforts to Boost Tourism Arrivals
The Philippines is moving forward with plans to attract more tourists from China by considering a relaxation of visa requirements. The Department of Tourism (DOT) highlighted that, although China has previously been a major source of visitors, arrivals have decreased sharply this year. The DOT supports greater visa accessibility to help revive the country’s crucial tourism operations.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) is seeking to ease its visa policy, including resuming the e-Visa program for China, to facilitate travel and increase tourism demand from key markets.#Philippines #Tourism #Visas #China pic.twitter.com/nYGG6TOKsB
— 中国探索 (@China6Ex) September 7, 2025
Learning from Regional Experiences
Tourism officials are looking at the successes of neighboring ASEAN countries that saw increased Chinese arrivals after easing their visa restrictions. The Philippines is analyzing and adapting these measures to remain a competitive destination for Chinese travelers.
Focus on Independent Chinese Travelers
Special attention is being paid to attracting more “free independent travelers” (FITs) from China. Currently, there are caps on visa allocations for FITs, and group visa submissions are restricted to just twice each week. Officials believe that easing these constraints will boost tourism and make the Philippines more welcoming for independent Chinese travelers.
Streamlining Visa Issuance
The DOT will coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Service Posts to simplify the visa issuance process. The joint goal is to eliminate existing barriers and provide better access for prospective tourists from China.
China Remains a Priority Market
China ranked as the Philippines’ second-largest source of foreign visitors before the pandemic in 2019. However, in the current year, arrivals have not rebounded to previous levels. The easing of visa rules is highlighted as a key factor that could restore inbound travel from this important market.
Looking Ahead to Tourism Recovery
These strategies are set to strengthen the Philippines’ efforts to revive its tourism sector by making it easier for Chinese travelers to visit. The government’s push for policy reforms and streamlined visa processes underscores its commitment to reinvigorating the nation’s tourism economy.
| Current Restriction | Planned Change |
|---|---|
| Visa slots for FITs are capped | DOT proposes reduction or removal of caps |
| Group visa applications allowed twice weekly | DOT seeks to ease this restriction |
| Coordination between agencies limited | Closer collaboration with Foreign Affairs and Foreign Service Posts |
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
- Author
Daniel Williams
