DOT counting on Chinese visitors for rosier 2026
The Department of Tourism (DOT) is banking on the influx of Chinese visitors to boost the country’s tourism numbers by the first three months of 2026, following the revival of the electronic visa system in November for this particular market.
“While the timing meant that its full benefits could not be felt within the peak booking periods of 2025, we expect a more visible impact beginning the first quarter of 2026,” Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes said in a statement this week.
Based on the latest data provided by DOT, China ranked sixth in visitor arrivals from Jan. 1 to Dec. 20 this year, with 262,144 Chinese tourists coming to the Philippines.
For the first 11 months of 2025, a total of 248,339 Chinese tourists were recorded, accounting for nearly five percent of the total international arrivals. This was also a slump by 17 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
In November this year alone, 20,188 Chinese visitors visited the Philippines.
The DOT largely attributed the lower figures to “visa disruptions, security perceptions and limited air connectivity.”
Regaining confidence
The department said it is working with airline companies and aviation stakeholders to restore lost routes and seat capacities to slowly regain confidence in Philippine tourism and connectivity to the country as air routes between the Philippines and China are only about 45 percent compared to the years before the COVID-19 pandemic hit global tourism.
“With China being one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, improving air connectivity presents a major opportunity,” the DOT said.
In October, Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz signed a memorandum of agreement with private firm VFS Global to facilitate visa processing for potential tourists in China.
Under the relaunched policy, Chinese tourists who wish to visit the Philippines for up to 14 days can apply for the eVisa. Their points of entry, however, are limited to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Those staying longer may apply for regular visa at application centers in Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
2-year pause
The eVisa program was revived after a pause of nearly two years. The DFA then did not give a concrete reason for the suspension, but it came after then Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla disclosed that made a recommendation to President Marcos to have visa facilitation in China removed from the foreign affairs department.
The other top source of foreign tourists in the country from January to November this year are South Korea (1.13 million visitors), United States (894,835), Japan (406,794), and Australia (268,892).
The DFA also implemented an eVisa scheme for Indian visitors in November last year.
Despite the continuing challenges in the market, DOT stressed that Philippine tourism remained “resilient,” citing the P3.86 trillion in visitor receipts generated in 2024.
