Direct flights from India to the Philippines, offered by carriers such as Philippine Airlines, are expected to double the number of Indian visitors to 200,000 this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday.
This development was revealed by DOT Assistant Secretary Ina Zara Loyola as she hosted the weekly breakfast gathering of Tuesday Club members at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City. The surge is part of a four-country tourism development program currently being pursued by the DOT, which includes Poland, Russia, Israel, and India.
According to DOT director for market development Zeny Cinco Pallugna, “India is by far the most promising of the lot.”
Pallugna highlighted that some 104,000 Indians, primarily high-spending middle-class visitors, toured the Philippines last year, staying an average of 11 days in the country’s famous beach destinations and even exploring Manila’s expansive malls.
Despite this growth, Indian tourists formed part of the 15 million outbound Indians who traveled to Southeast Asia last year, with the Philippines ranking only fourth among their preferred destinations. The majority chose Dubai, followed by Vietnam (2 million visitors) and Thailand (1.5 million visitors).
Looking ahead, Pallugna shared ambitious projections: “The plan is to double the number of inbound Indians this year. I think eventually we can match the number of Indians entering China because that is the goal.” She further noted that by 2030, some 35 million Indians are expected to travel abroad, with the Philippines aiming to capture at least a million of them.
Currently, aircraft availability remains the biggest challenge, though Pallugna confirmed that PAL is negotiating to begin direct flights from Delhi to Manila or Cebu by the second half of this year. Presently, direct India-Philippines flights operate via charter by Indigo Air, primarily catering to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) segment.
Pallugna emphasized the DOT’s strategy, explaining that “flight pricing is structured for the higher middle-class segment under the DOT’s high-value, low-impact strategy.”
With these developments, the Philippines is gearing up to become a top destination for Indian tourists, offering beaches, urban experiences, and a high-value travel experience that promises both adventure and comfort.
