Airlines are ramping up flights between North America and the Philippines as robust demand continues to buck a broader slowdown in outbound travel from the US and Canada, reinforcing confidence in one of the country's most valuable tourism markets.
The Philippine tourism industry used less water in 2025 but consumed more energy and emitted more carbon dioxide, highlighting a growing sustainability challenge as the sector's environmental footprint shifts from the tap to the tailpipe.
The Philippines must fix long-standing structural weaknesses in its tourism industry now or risk falling even further behind its Southeast Asian neighbors and missing its 2028 growth targets.
The Philippines' recognition as the world's top retirement destination for 2026 is more than a feel-good accolade. It could become a powerful boost for the country's long-stay tourism ambitions and a source of sustained economic activity that extends far beyond traditional vacation spending.
Strong gains from China and North America helped propel international visitor arrivals to the Philippines in the first five months of 2026, offsetting a decline from South Korea and keeping the country's tourism recovery on track.
Rising temperatures and widespread dry spells caused by the ongoing El Niño have pushed initial agricultural losses in the Philippines to P8.57 billion, marking a nearly 25 percent increase from the P6.87 billion reported late last month.
The European Union and the Philippines are setting up a joint artificial intelligence (AI) industry laboratory to help businesses adopt emerging technologies, improve productivity and attract investment, with micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) among the intended beneficiaries.
Filipinos are adopting faster, digital-first methods to move money across borders, relying heavily on mobile wallets and bank transfers to support daily household needs while demonstrating an appetite for emerging digital currencies like stablecoins.
The Philippines’ business and investment outlook is deteriorating as rising public debt, slowing economic growth and weakening foreign investment inflows intensify fiscal and economic pressures, according to a new assessment by WR Advisory Group.