Indian tourists may soon be able to travel to the Philippines without a visa for short stays as the South-east Asian nation prepares to introduce a visa-free entry policy allowing Indian nationals to visit for up to 14 days.
The move, pending official confirmation, is already generating strong optimism among travel industry stakeholders who expect a strong growth in outbound traffic from India.
“Visa-free access removes one of the major friction points in travel planning, particularly for last-minute bookings and group tours. We expect a 30 to 40 per cent surge in outbound travel to the Philippines from India over the next 12 to 18 months. This facility will positively impact segments like FITs and incentive travel,” said Sandeep Khetarpal, founder of ZOTRAV, a B2B travel marketplace.
Michael Hobson, CEO of Manila-based Lanson Place Hospitality echoed this sentiment, stating that visa-free access is likely to “enhance interest from India”.
Indian citizens holding a valid visa or permanent residency from countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Singapore, or any Schengen Area nation will also qualify for an extended 30-day visa-free stay in the Philippines, reported financial daily newspaper Mint.
“The Philippines is still gaining ground compared to more established South-east Asian favourites like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore or Bali. It appeals more to travellers seeking offbeat, experience-driven holidays rather than conventional tourist circuits. Destinations like Manila, Cebu, Boracay, Puerto Princesa and El Nido are popular among Indian visitors,” noted Rajeev Kale, president & country head – holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India).
Industry stakeholders also expect the easing of visa requirements to open doors to a wider demographic of travellers.
“Earlier, the Philippines mostly attracted seasoned tourists due to visa complexities and limited direct connectivity. With the visa barrier removed, we foresee strong demand from young couples, families and Gen Z travellers looking for aspirational yet seamless travel experiences,” SD Nandakumar, president & country head – holidays & corporate tours, SOTC Travel, remarked.
Nandakumar predicts double-digit growth in Indian outbound travel to the Philippines, especially as awareness increases.
In response to a query from TTG Asia, the Embassy of the Philippines in New Delhi advised awaiting an official announcement on the visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals.
