The Philippine government announced that Chinese nationals will be allowed visa free entry for up to 14 days beginning January 16, in a one year initiative aimed at recapturing a share of the market and strengthening economic ties with China. Chinese arrivals numbered only about 262,144 in 2025, a fraction of pre-pandemic figures. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, the policy aligns with the President’s directive to promote trade, investment, tourism, and closer people-to-people ties between the Philippines and China. The visa-free privilege will apply only to Chinese nationals who travel to the country for business or tourism through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City or Mactan-Cebu International Airport on Mactan Island.
In late January, the Philippines hosted the 45th ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 in Cebu as a key event under its ASEAN chairship, positioning the country to shape the regional tourism policy. The forum launched the ASEAN Tourism Sectoral Plan 2026–2030 focused on making ASEAN tourism more sustainable, inclusive, innovative, and competitive globally. Notably, ASEAN member states and counterparts from China, Japan, and South Korea reaffirmed commitments to deepen cooperation on travel and tourism. Officials noted strong visitor numbers from these Northeast Asia markets and discussed frameworks like the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Cooperation Work Plan to address shared challenges and expand regional tourism ties.
