Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) is advocating for the relaxation of visa policies, including the revival of the e-Visa program in China, to facilitate travel and boost demand from China’s outbound tourism market. In a statement sent to the PNA, the agency highlighted that visa facilitation remains a crucial factor in attracting travelers from significant markets such as China.
According to Philippines News Agency, many ASEAN neighbors have already eased or waived visa requirements and have seen considerable benefits. However, the suspension of the Philippines’ e-visa program, along with strict daily visa caps for free independent travelers (FITs), limits the country’s ability to accommodate charter flights, which typically operate two to three times a week. The DOT noted that appointment slots for FITs, who organize their own travel arrangements, are “limited,” and group visa applications are restricted to twice a week.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) mentioned on Saturday that its embassy and consulates in China are currently meeting the demand and are prepared to handle more tourists if visa applications increase. The DOT emphasized that easing visa requirements has been shown to directly stimulate demand, as evidenced by the increase in arrivals from other source markets.
The DOT expressed the importance of collaborating closely with the DFA and Foreign Service Posts to increase tourist arrivals and strengthen the tourism industry. They also stressed that true competitiveness requires not only responding to demand but also proactively removing barriers that may hinder growth.
As an example, the DOT cited the rebound in Indian arrivals, which improved from a -21 percent growth rate at the end of January 2025 to 4.93 percent by the end of August 2025, after visa-free privileges were granted to India starting June 8. This increase also represents a 5.01 percent rise compared to the 2024 figures as of September 5, 2025.
The DOT expressed its intention to work closely with the DFA and other relevant agencies to further ease travel, address bottlenecks, and ensure that the Philippines remains competitive. Before the pandemic, China was the second-largest source market for the Philippines, with 1.7 million visitors in 2019, second only to South Korea’s 1.9 million. However, arrivals from China from January to August decreased by 24.40 percent to 182,228, compared to 241,041 during the same period last year.
