The Philippine tourism industry has had a mixed start to the year. In the first two months, the Philippines welcomed approximately 1.247 million foreign visitors, a 3.4% increase year-over-year. Foreign visitors accounted for 93.7% of the total visitor volume during the period, indicating a steady recovery trend in the tourism market. Simply put, the overall number of tourists is increasing, but the previously dominant group, Chinese tourists, are falling behind. Want to know the latest trends in Southeast Asia's gambling and tourism market? Follow the PASA official website continuously.
Koreans remain at the top, while Chinese tourists decline by nearly 20%
South Korea continues to be the largest source of tourists for the Philippines, contributing nearly 293,000 visitors, accounting for 22.1% of the total visitor volume, but down 8.2% from the same period last year. The United States follows closely, receiving 276,000 visitors, up 3.4% year-over-year. Japan ranks third with 86,000 visitors, up 7.1%. Canada, Australia, and the UK also saw increases of 14.1%, 11.6%, and 10.4%, respectively. However, mainland Chinese tourists only accounted for 33,000 visits, down 19.4% year-over-year, contrasting sharply with the overall growth trend. Taiwanese tourists surged by 35.7%, reaching 53,000 visits, nearly 4% of the total.
E-visas pave the way, but gambling recovery still needs time
Behind the recovery of the tourism industry, the government's pro-tourism policies are indispensable. The coverage of e-visas has expanded to 12 nationalities, with Chinese and Indian citizens joining the plan from November 2025, paving the way for the growth of visitors at the beginning of the year. This policy may promote the recovery of casino resorts such as Manila Entertainment City, but a full rebound in VIP visitor numbers may still take a few quarters. In 2025, the Philippines is expected to welcome approximately 5.94 million foreign visitors, a slight increase from the previous year, laying the foundation for continued growth in the tourism industry this year. Want to know the latest trends in Southeast Asia's gambling and tourism market? Follow the PASA official website continuously.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling industry news channel: https://t.me/pasa_news
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