Travel and Tourism

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will reduce airport and roll-on/roll-off (RORO) terminal fees starting April to lessen the impact of spiraling fuel prices on passengers. According to Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez, terminal fees for airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) will be cut by P200 beginning April 1, 2026. Airport fees including landing and …

Japanese contractors of railway projects funded by Japan were assured by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) that the Philippine government will honor provisions of their contract to mitigate the impact of rising fuel and material costs due to the ongoing Middle East war. Japanese contractors recently cited possible delays in delivery of imported construction materials as well as increase in …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced it will be suspending several international and domestic flights out of Cebu and Clark, starting mid-April through May, as the flag carrier adjusts its route network in response to changes in the global aviation industry due to the Middle East war. PAL said the changes in flight schedule on select routes from Cebu and Clark would …

Cebu Pacific is temporarily adjusting its route network by reducing flight frequencies and cancelling select flights, in response to global fuel price surges linked to the Middle East crisis. The budget airline is implementing these frequency reductions and route cancellations across its international network as fuel costs have more than doubled compared with 2025 averages. The carrier said it will …

The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to appoint a tourism secretary with a strong business track record, who will be able to convert demand into actual visitor arrivals. MAP said candidates for tourism secretary should have “hands-on business competencies from actually running enterprises,” stressing that tourism operates within a “big business ecosystem.” “It is …

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) rolled out the Online Reservation Assistance System (ORAS), a digital application designed to eliminate perennial ticketing bottlenecks and ensure a seamless travel experience at the nation’s major ports. Developed in response to passenger feedback, ORAS aims to streamline the reservation process and prevent congestion especially during peak travel seasons. By allowing travelers to secure their …

The Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Tourism (DoT) recently signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) that would align their respective programs, infrastructure and promotions to promote the Philippines as a leading food and gastronomy destination in Asia. Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said, “This is not simply about adding tourist stops to farms, a visit that …

The Department of Tourism (DoT) and the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC) have partnered to extend the Tourism Legacy and Livelihood Program to senior citizens who have been given the opportunity take on active roles in elderly-friendly and community-based tourism initiatives. Under the program, senior citizens are allowed to serve as community tour guides upon completing required training. Among …

Secretary Vince Dizon of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently inspected the ongoing bridge construction along the Villasis–Sto. Tomas Bypass Road in Pangasinan, confident the project is on track to be completed by end of 2027. Dizon, joined by Pangasinan Gov. Ramon Guico III, district engineers and other officials of the DPWH, assessed the progress and bottlenecks …

While travel data show the Philippines trailing in tourism movement, travelers profile show millennials and Gen-Z comprise the bulk of traffic under the sports tourism sector. The latest YouGov survey revealed that “Traveling for sports events is an international phenomenon, with four in 10 consumers across 17 markets having done so.”  The survey found that 45% of the respondents were …