The Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) expects the planned increase in Japan visa fees to have minimal impact on Filipino outbound travel, citing sustained strong demand and a preference for convenience over cost among travelers.
The Philippine hotel industry is shifting its focus to domestic travelers as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt international arrivals and slow foreign bookings, prompting operators to brace for a gradual recovery only by the fourth quarter.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is sticking to its conservative target of 6.4 million international visitor arrivals this year even as it rolls out a new push to energize domestic travel through steeply discounted tourism packages.