The Philippines’ tourism rebound is still stuck in economy class, slowed by the weak return of China and South Korea—once the twin engines of foreign arrivals. Latest Department of Tourism (DOT) data show 5.606 million international visitors as of December 20, with arrivals from January to November slipping 2.16 percent year on year to 5.35 million.
South Korea, the country’s largest source market, hit the brakes hard. Arrivals tumbled 21 percent to 1.43 million from 1.81 million a year earlier. China fared no better, with visitor numbers down 16.55 percent to just under 298,000—nowhere near the roughly two million Chinese tourists welcomed in 2019.
For full-year 2024, the Philippines logged 5.95 million foreign visitors, beating 2023 but missing the government’s 7.7 million target and still far below the pre-pandemic peak of 8.26 million. The gap underscores how critical China’s recovery is to the bigger picture.
Officials cite familiar hurdles: visa disruptions, lingering security concerns, and thin air connectivity. Flights between China and the Philippines are operating at only about 45 percent of pre-pandemic capacity, capping growth just as regional rivals ramp up.
Relief may finally be in sight. The reintroduction of the Philippine electronic visa in November 2025 is being billed as a game changer. Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes called it a clear signal that the Philippines is “open and ready,” with a more visible payoff expected from early 2026.
The DOT is doubling down on airline partnerships to rebuild routes and seats. With China one of the world’s biggest outbound travel markets, officials see aviation recovery as the turbo boost tourism needs—turning cautious optimism into a long-overdue takeoff.
