The Philippines' tourism sector is showing strong signs of recovery, with foreign visitor arrivals reaching a significant milestone by late December 2025. The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported that the country welcomed 5.6 million international tourists as of December 20. This figure brings the Philippines nearly on par with the total inbound numbers recorded for the entire previous year, 2024.
Recovery Path and Market Challenges
Despite the positive trend, the current visitor count has not yet returned to the peak levels seen in 2019, before the global Covid-19 pandemic disrupted travel worldwide. The DOT identified specific challenges that have slowed the rebound from key markets. South Korea and the United States led the arrivals, followed by Japan, Australia, and Canada.
Notably, China—once a top source of tourists for the Philippines—ranked sixth with 262,144 arrivals. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco pointed to two major factors for the decline from this crucial market: the previous suspension of the e-Visa system and the weakened value of the Korean won, which also affected travel from South Korea.
The e-Visa Revival: A Gateway for Chinese Tourists
A pivotal development for the industry was the reintroduction of the Philippine e-Visa for Chinese nationals in November 2025. Tourism Attaché to China, Ireneo Reyes, hailed this move as a critical step to restore confidence and simplify travel procedures. He stated that the resumption sends a clear message that the Philippines is open and eager to welcome visitors from China.
"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," Reyes explained. The DOT anticipates that the convenience of the online visa will translate into stronger tourist numbers from China in the early part of the new year.
Overcoming Connectivity Hurdles
Beyond visa issues, recovery has been constrained by limited air connectivity. The DOT noted that flight routes between China and the Philippines are currently operating at only about 45% of their pre-pandemic capacity. This reduction in available seats has directly impacted the flow of tourists.
The department is actively engaging with airlines and aviation stakeholders to address this bottleneck. "The Department is working closely with aviation and tourism stakeholders to gradually rebuild connectivity and confidence," it said in a statement. Improving air links is seen as a major opportunity, given China's status as one of the world's largest outbound travel markets.
Resilience and Optimism for the Future
Facing budget constraints and market-specific challenges, the Philippine tourism industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The sector generated an impressive P3.86 trillion in receipts in 2024 and supported 6.75 million tourism-related jobs for Filipinos.
The DOT remains bullish about the future. It expressed confidence that a combination of improved visa access, enhanced safety measures, and restored air connectivity will fuel a stronger rebound in the Chinese market. This recovery is expected to lift the country's overall arrival figures, steering Philippine tourism closer to and beyond its pre-pandemic glory.
