Travel and Tourism

The Philippines has a line-up of initiatives supporting the long-term growth of tourism, including expanded air access, language training for tourism workers, and new study-based travel offerings, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco during the 5th meeting of ASEAN–Russian Federation Tourism Ministers. The tourism chief said the Philippines’ approach reflects the need to rebuild traveler confidence through reliable connectivity, clear …

Major transport groups, including the Provincial Bus Operators Association of the Philippines (PBOAP), oppose the proposal by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to allow large private vehicles used for carpooling services to enter the exclusive EDSA busway. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) thanked PBOAP executive director and spokesperson Alex Yague, Alliance of Transport Operators and Drivers …

The Philippines was recognized as Asia’s Best Retirement Destination at the recent 11thTripZilla Excellence Awards, buttressing the Department of Tourism’s goal of positioning the country as a top retirement location in the world. TripZilla also recognized the Philippines as the Best Dive Destination and Destination of the Year. TripZilla is a leading Southeast Asian online travel platform. DOT Secretary Christina …

Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently unveiled a unique inflight safety video that taps into Filipinos’ enduring fondness for classic TV soap operas or teleserye. The distinctively Filipino-appealing safety video veers away from the mandatory safety audio-visual demonstrated by the cabin crew and ignored by passengers. Released online on the last day of 2025, the six-minute production leans heavily into the cliches …

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) recorded 6,095,624 passengers passing through different seaports nationwide during the recent holiday travel rush. PPA reported the number of travelers peaked from Dec. 15, 2025 to Jan. 5, 2026. Top five ports with heaviest influx of passengers are in Panay (Guimaras), Batangas, Mindoro, Bohol and Negros Oriental (Siquijor). Christmas and New Year travel brought the …

The Philippines will chair and host this year’s meetings of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), starting with the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum scheduled from January 28 to 31 in Cebu. The Department of Tourism (DOT) said it has been collaborating closely with the Cebu provincial government, especially with the Cebu City Tourism Commission, and other national government agencies. …

Spreading online posts saying entry to Canada is “visa-free” for Filipinos need clarification. To qualify for a visa-free entry from the Philippines, the traveler must meet the following criteria: Must have held a Canadian visitor visa in the past 10 years or a current non-immigrant visa for the US. Must have a valid passport. Must be traveling via air. These …

The Department of Tourism (DOT) insists they did not pay Philippine Topics magazine to feature the Secretary of Tourism for its cover story. DOT sought to address misleading online posts claiming the magazine featured the face of Tourism Sec. Cristina Garcia-Frasco on its cover, instead of promoting local destinations. DOT emphasized Philippine Topics is a private publication and not a …

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will construct three new EDSA Busway stations this year to improve efficiency and accessibility on Metro Manila’s most efficient road transport project. The new stations will be located in Cubao, Magallanes and the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed DOTr to improve the busway’s time and motion to encourage more …

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez instructed Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman Atty. Vigor Mendoza II to immediately penalize abusive, rude and arrogant drivers of taxis and Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) who cancel bookings or overcharge or refuse to accept passengers during the ongoing holiday rush. Sec. Lopez said they are issuing a memorandum …