Take advantage of relaxed visa rules for Indians, gov’t urged

(L-R) Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr., PHOA President Arthur Lopez and Filinvest Hospitality Corp. first senior vice president Francis Gotianun during the media launch of the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025 held in Makati City. Photo by Jordeene B. Lagare

The government and the private sector should maximize the opportunities presented by the relaxed visa requirements for Indian nationals to arrest the decline in tourist arrivals to the Philippines, according to the Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. (PHOA).

“Now is the time to capitalize on the relaxation [of visa rules] and we have to make sure that adequate resources are given for marketing and promotions if we’re really serious in getting a bigger chunk of the Indian outbound market,” PHOA executive director Benito Bengzon Jr. said during the media launch of the Philippine Hotel Connect 2025.

To recall, Indian nationals were granted visa-free privileges beginning June 8 to increase tourism arrivals from India.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Indian nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible and nonconvertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes.

They are required to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, along with confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, proof of financial capacity and return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.

The DFA also said Indian nationals holding valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom visas or residence permits may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism.

The Department of Tourism earlier said the Philippines welcomed nearly 80,000 Indian visitors in 2024, a 12- percent growth compared to the year before.

Bengzon said hotel owners see “huge” potential in the market.

“As for spending capacity, I would base it on the reports of some of our member hotels, particularly in BGC (Bonifacio Global City). We have shared positive news that they are getting a continuous stream of the high-spending Indian market,” he said.

Filinvest Hospitality Corp. first senior vice president Francis Gotianun said they have observed a 60-percent surge in searches of travel to the Philippines from India.

“Of course, we wish that things were more progressed, definitely. But I think that there’s a lot of positive steps that are happening in terms of being able to have stronger tourist arrivals and get us back to higher levels prepandemic,” Gotianun said.