Latest news with #ChristinaGarciaFrasco
Skift
29-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Philippines Tourism Chief: Courting Digital Nomads and Growth Beyond China
With a focus on infrastructure, digital nomads, and Muslim-friendly travel, the Philippines is reshaping its tourism strategy for longer, more meaningful stays. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco explained the country's approach at the Skift Asia Forum. Christina Garcia Frasco, tourism secretary of the Philippines, discussed the country's strategy to attract more long-term visitors at the recent Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok. Work is underway to improve the Philippines' infrastructure, and Frasco believes the country has advantages in attracting digital nomads, including the widespread use of English. Frasco also addressed the Philippines' growing efforts to target markets beyond China and the competition with other Southeast Asian destinations during her chat with Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia. Watch a full video of the discussion below: An Evolving Country Franco said the Philippines is rebranding itself on the global stage by emphasizing its assets. 'The Philippines finds itself at an age of transformation where it seeks to reintroduce itself to the world from the lens and the strength of its cultural identity, its heritage, its stories ...' The Case for Digital Nomads Frasco explained why she believes the Philippines is a high-value destination for digital nomads. 'We hope to attract long-stay travelers to work in paradise, where the value proposition is not just a low-cost stay, but one of high value that provides cultural and immersive experiences.' Expanding Beyond China Frasco highlighted the Philippines' successful efforts to reduce its reliance on Chinese tourists. "Because of our efforts to diversify, we are seeing, for example, from the Middle East and the GCC an average of no less than 500 to 800% growth rate in terms of international tourism arrivals." Growing Appeal For Muslim Travelers The Philippines has also taken strides to become a more welcoming destination for Muslim travelers. "Under this administration, there has been a very serious push towards expanding the Philippines' halal and Muslim-friendly tourism portfolio. So strong has this push been that the crescent rating of the global Muslim tourism index has recognized the Philippines for the second year in a row as the emerging Muslim-friendly travel destination." A Deeper Takeaway for Visitors Frasco said those traveling in the Philippines often make a meaningful connection with the country's citizens. "What we bring to the table… is a story — a story of a proud people… You arrive in the Philippines as a guest, but you leave as family. That is the Filipino way, and that is the Philippine experience that we are able to offer to anyone who comes to the country."
Skift
29-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Now, Philippines Becomes Visa-Free for Indian Tourists
The impact of visa waivers on Indian travelers' destination preference is well documented. As the Philippines struggles with the loss of Chinese tourists, it seems to be taking a page from Thailand's notebook to attract outbound surge from India. The Philippines has introduced visa-free entry for Indian tourists. The archipelago is offering two different types of visa waivers to Indians. Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of 14 days for tourism only. Tourists entering the Southeast Asian country through this program can neither extend their stay beyond the 14 days nor convert it into any other type of visa. Apart from this, Indian nationals can also get a 30-day non-extendable visa-free entry for tourism purposes if they hold valid visas or residency permits for Australia, Japan, America, Canada, Schengen nations, Singapore, or the United Kingdom. The country's e-visa facility will also be available. The policy came into effect this month itself. India's Importance for Philippines: Last year, while the Philippines recorded its highest-ever tourism receipts at about $13 billion, it also lost out significantly on tourists from China: Only 300,000 Chinese tourists visited as against the target of 2 million. At the Skift Asia Forum earlier this month, Christina Garcia Frasco, tourism secretary of the Republic of the Philippines said, 'The lesson that we learned from that is to really diversify our dependency into other markets as well.' India has now become one of the focus markets for the Philippines. She is also hopeful that direct flights between India and the Philippines will commence 'very soon.' On the development, Gaurav Malik, country director - India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at online travel platform Agoda, said, "The Philippines' decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian travelers recognizes India as a key market for tourism. The move also reflects Indian travelers' growing interest in Southeast Asia as a whole.' He added that the move is likely to further boost the demand for the Philippines as a preferred travel destination among Indians, as also seen in other destination countries and highlighted by Skift in a feature last September. Philippines Tourism Secretary at the Skift Asia Forum ITC's Welcomhotel Brand Enters Bihar ITC Hotels has signed a Welcomhotel-branded property in Bihar's Bodhgaya. The 98-key hotel marks the brand's debut in the state of Bihar. Bodhgaya is a key destination for Buddhist pilgrims. This came just days after ITC signed a Welcomhotel in Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, which is a major religious destination for Hindus. The company has recognized this segment as a growth driver in the country's tourism landscape. At the signing of Welcomhotel in Vrindavan, ITC Hotels Managing Director Anil Chadha said, 'India's pilgrimage tourism has witnessed a big upswing. As the country witnesses a surge in domestic travel, spiritual destinations have become vibrant tourism hubs, driving footfall and economic opportunity across various cities and heritage sites.' IndiGo Promoter Sells 6% Stake in Airline IndiGo-parent Interglobe Aviation's promoter Rakesh Gangwal and his family trust on Tuesday sold a 5.72% stake in the low-cost airline, according to exchange filings. Of this, Gangwal sold 0.57% out of his total 5.3% stake in IndiGo, while the family trust sold 5.15% out of a total 8.23% stake in the airline. The shares were offloaded for about INR 113.8 billion ($1.35 billion) through a block deal. A total of 220 million shares were sold in the deal. Last August as well, Gangwal's family trust sold a 5.2% stake in the airline. In March 2024, Gangwal also sold some shares in IndiGo. The stake sale is due to a February 2022 decision by Gangwal to reduce his stake in the budget airline after his alleged fall out with co-founder Rahul Bhatia over corporate governance issues. Last year, Southwest Airlines announced adding Gangwal to its board of directors. Manipur's Move to Boost Homestays The Northeastern state of Manipur has launched a dedicated portal for registration of homestays in the state. The digital initiative is aimed to encourage local communities through tourism. Residents across the state will be able to register their properties as certified homestays using this portal, which will strengthen rural economies while also providing travelers with authentic travel experiences. The state's new homestay policy came into effect this month, in which the government detailed the infrastructure and service benchmarks required from homestays. These looked at guest safety, comfort, and transparency. The policy also standardized room tariffs. Cruise-Focused OTA Int2Cruises Enters India Cruise-focused online travel company Int2Cruises has entered the Indian market. The OTA is headquartered in India, but was first introduced in Singapore and is expanding its presence into other markets such as the United Arab Emirates. In a statement, the company said that the platform aims to make cruise bookings convenient, transparent, and affordable. 'Indian travelers today are confident, digitally savvy, and looking for memorable experiences. But cruise booking remains fragmented and often overwhelming,' said Akansha Agarwal, chief marketing officer at the OTA. Cruise vacations are quickly gaining momentum among Indian travelers, for leisure as well as corporate travel. The government is also looking to ramp up this segment, targeting 1 million cruise tourists by 2029. According to the Indian government, 'The cruise market in India has the potential to grow by 800% over the next decade, driven by rising demand and disposable incomes.' IHG Now Has 50 Operational Hotels in India IHG Hotels & Resorts on Tuesday opened its 50th operational hotel in India - Crowne Plaza Lucknow. The 110-key hotel has been equipped with meeting and event spaces across 40,000 square feet in order to target leisure and business travelers. The hotel chain is continuing to expand its presence across the country. Last year, IHG signed 18 new hotels in India, with around 30% of the signings being in the premium and luxury segments. Currently, the company has almost 70 hotels in its pipeline as it looks to more than double its portfolio in India over the next five years.
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippines backs Asean-wide visa, eyes tourism boost from unified entry
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (left) serves as one of the speakers during the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday (May 15, 2025). During the forum, Frasco expressed support for the proposed creation of a unified ASEAN visa, inspired by the European Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint visa. - Photo: DOT MANILA, May 18 (Bernama-PNA) The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed strong support for the creation of a unified Asean visa, saying it could help position the region as a single, powerhouse tourism destination. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco made the statement during the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand last Thursday, where she served as one of the key speakers. The proposal, inspired by the European Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint visa, is gaining traction among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). "The Asean tagline is 'A destination for every dream.' And the Asean visa certainly is part of that dream,' Frasco said, as quoted in a DOT news release on Sunday (May 18). "To be able to unify the Asean as a destination... is one that is aspirational for us in the Philippines.' She bared that there's "similar interest' from other Southeast Asian nations about the unified visa system. "We are very hopeful that the subject matter will again come up as the Philippines hosts the Asean in 2026,' she said. The Tourism chief underscored the potential of enhanced regional cooperation despite existing competition among Asean countries. "Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier in a sense that Asean coming together to work as a force for good for the world would really benefit all of our countries,' she said. She cited the Philippines' partnership with Thailand as an example, pointing to the implementation of their "Two Countries, One Destination' campaign. Frasco also highlighted the Philippines' cultural and culinary diversity as key selling points to Asean tourists. "What we bring to the table... is a story-a story of a proud people that is the result of generations of influence,' she said. "You arrive in the Philippines as a guest, but you leave as family.' - Bernama-PNA
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Philippines Wants Long-Term Travelers – Digital Nomads and Gulf Expats
The Philippines had relied on the Chinese market, but is now focused on diversifying its source markets. The Philippines is looking to attract long-term travelers. One solution: digital nomad visas. In April, the Filipino government signed an executive order for the development of the digital nomad visa program. The plan is to woo quality travelers who respect sustainability efforts and benefit the country through high tourism spending and repeat visits, said Christina Garcia Frasco, Tourism Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines at the Skift Asia Forum. Several Asian nations are getting into this market, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. According to Frasco, the Philippines has an advantage due to the widespread use of English and easy access to cities and beaches. The tourism department has partnered with the department of information and communications technology to improve Wi-Fi, and they have covered more than 90 destinations across the country. Frasco said the country is working with regional offices and local governments to ensure tourist safety is a top priority. The upcoming digital nomad visa will allow travelers to remain in the country for a year, but hopes to make longer stays possible. On Direct Connectivity The Filipino government is working on a public-private partnership model to develop airports and expand connectivity. Frasco said, 'We have made very conscious efforts to increase direct connectivity from all over the world, including flights from Paris to Manila and from Canada to the Philippines.' She added that she is hopeful of direct flights between India and the Philippines 'very soon.' Last month, the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines also agreed to consider expanding their existing partnership to enter into reciprocal code sharing agreements on flights between the Philippines and Dubai, and on select routes beyond the gateways of each partner airline. The country is also working on expanding its direct connectivity to Australia, she said. On Key Markets and Trends In 2024, the Philippines recorded its highest-ever tourism receipts at about $13 billion. This was 26% above pre-Covid levels. However, the country also went through a 'devastating loss' in tourist arrivals from the Chinese market. It targeted 2 million tourists from China, but only 300,000 came. 'The lesson that we learned from that is to really diversify our dependency into other markets as well,' Frasco said. The Philippines is now targeting markets such as the Middle East, the Gulf nations, and India. It is also looking to strengthen its source markets in South Korea, Japan, the U.S., and Europe. The country has seen an average of 500-800% growth in tourist arrivals from the Middle East and Gulf countries, especially due to a strong expat population. To cater to these tourists, the Philippines is also pushing to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism portfolio. The department of tourism has been working on driving accommodations and resorts to be more Muslim-friendly, and it has collaborated with the department of trade and hotel and restaurant associations to increase the number of Halal offerings. Since the beginning of the year, the country has also been recording an average of 22% month-on-month growth in the number of tourists from Australia. Moreover, the country's top source market of South Korea continues to grow soundly. On ASEAN Visa For a long time, Southeast Asian nations have been discussing the possibility of an ASEAN visa along the lines of Schengen visa and the proposed Unified GCC Visa for Gulf nations. Frasco expressed her hope that it will again come up as a point of deliberation next year among the ASEAN block countries. 'Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier,' she said, when talking about the possible impact of the ASEAN visa. The Philippines and Thailand have already signed a memorandum for their 'Two Countries, One Destination' effort.
Filipino Times
24-03-2025
- Business
- Filipino Times
Returning OFWs in PH offered job, business opportunities in local tourism sector
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to help returning OFWs start businesses and find jobs in the local tourism sector. This is part of the whole-of-nation reintegration program aimed at supporting Filipinos who have worked abroad and their families. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac led a flag-raising ceremony and AKSYON Fund distribution at the DMW Central Office in Mandaluyong. The event was part of the 2025 National Women's Month celebration. 'From the beginning of the Marcos Administration, our President has articulated how important the contributions of overseas Filipino workers are, not just to the Philippines, but to the rest of the world,' said Secretary Frasco. 'And therefore, his directive was for there to be a whole-of-nation approach to honor the work of OFWs.' The DOT and DMW have programs like 'Bisita, Be My Guest,' which lets OFWs invite foreigners to visit the Philippines and receive rewards, and 'Balik Bayani sa Turismo,' offering free tourism skills training for returning workers and their families. 'I'm very happy to report to you that through our partnership with the DMW, nagkaroon na po tayo ng mga graduates doon sa Pangasinan under the Balik Bayani sa Turismo Program,' she added. Some graduates have already started their own tourism businesses. Secretary Cacdac also thanked DOT for helping provide local income opportunities. 'Walang OFW na ayaw umuwi for good. That's why our partnerships with the DOT is a huge help for our OFWs to come home with their families while having a sustainable source of income in the local tourism sector,' he said.
