Philippines still on track to meet 2026 visitor target, tourism secretary says
The tourism department is seeking to expand visa-free entry for Chinese visitors to more destinations as it looks to sustain arrivals growth.
Key takeaways:
- The Philippines is targeting between 6.4 million and 6.8 million international tourist arrivals in 2026. Arrivals in January to August totalled 4.42 million, up from 4.38 million a year earlier.
- The tourism department wants to extend the 14-day visa-free entry scheme for Chinese visitors beyond Manila and Cebu to potentially include Clark, Caticlan, Bohol and Palawan
- China accounted for 303,567 arrivals during the first eight months of 2026.
The Philippines.- Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay says the Philippines remains on track to receive at least 6.4 million international tourists in 2026, despite higher fuel prices and airfares. The Department of Tourism’s (DOT) full-year target is between 6.4 million and 6.8 million visitors, and the country recorded 4.42 million international tourist arrivals from January to August, slightly above the 4.38 million registered during the same period in 2025.
Angara-Mathay expects demand to strengthen in the final quarter, traditionally a stronger period for tourism. The DOT is seeking to extend the existing 14-day visa-free entry scheme for Chinese tourists beyond Manila and Cebu to possibly include Clark, Caticlan, Bohol and Palawan. This would facilitate access to more destinations and support charter flights from China, although the measure remains subject to further government coordination. Authorities are also considering tighter safeguards to monitor organised tourist groups.
China accounted for 6.9 per cent of international tourist arrivals during the first eight months of the year, with 303,567 visitors, making it the Philippines’ fourth-largest source market.
