PH signs tourism deal with Thailand; eyes more tourists from India

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The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) aims to strengthen its bilateral relations with Thailand by signing the “Implementation Program of the Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism” recently.

Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Thailand Minister of Tourism and Sports Mr. Sorawong Thienthong officially inked the agreement at the DoubleTree Hotel in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

This initiative follows the longstanding partnership established by the original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism, signed on March 24, 1993, in Manila.

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“For the Philippines, this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to tap into Thailand’s remarkable success in attracting visitors, particularly in areas such as cultural tourism and medical tourism. We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, its internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our own tourism offerings,” Frasco said.

“In return, Thailand stands to gain from the Philippine expertise in hospitality, where we have earned a reputation for excellence. Additionally, the Philippines is a premier destination for dive tourism—home to some of the world’s most biodiverse marine ecosystems—and for English language tourism, where our world-class language schools attract students from all over the globe.”

The program, set to run from 2025 to 2030, aims to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation, promoting mutual growth and development within the tourism sectors of both nations.

Key areas of focus include Tourism Cooperation, the Exchange of Best Practices, Human Resource Development, and Joint Tourism Promotions and Marketing.

To ensure successful implementation, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be established to oversee coordination and monitor the activities and deliverables of the program.

“The signing of the Implementation Program of the Agreement on Cooperation in Tourism between our two nations underscores our deep cultural, economic and historical connections. As we position ourselves as two countries, one destination, we recognize the incredible potential of combining our strengths to offer travelers a truly unforgettable experience,” Frasco said.

Meanwhile, in her address during the 12th ASEAN-India Tourism Ministers Meeting, Frasco underscored the promising growth and future potential of tourism relations between the Philippines and India.

According to Frasco, in 2024, the Philippines welcomed nearly 80,000 Indian visitors, marking an over 12 percent growth compared to the previous year. 

“While this number is smaller relative to our Asean neighbors, it represents significant growth,” Frasco noted.  “We see tremendous potential in India’s outbound tourism market, and we are committed to making the Philippines a top destination for Indian tourists,”

She emphasized the vast potential for further expansion, highlighting the Philippine government’s proactive approach to visa liberalization by air and sea, exemplified by the successful launch of the Cruise Visa Waiver Program and active participation in joint working group meetings and business-to-business interactions with Indian counterparts. 

“We have already initially instituted the introduction of electronic visas for Indian nationals by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This digital initiative streamlines visa processes, and we look to make the efficiency of the operations of the e-Visa system even better under our President’s instructions,” Frasco said.

Frasco also noted that sustainable tourism remains a cornerstone of the partnership between the Philippines and India, reflecting both nations’ shared respect for cultural heritage and natural environments. The recent 75th-anniversary celebration of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and India highlighted the strength of this relationship and the vibrant opportunities for future tourism cooperation. 

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