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The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Inc. is an organization of tour operators and allied members actively involved in the advocacy of responsible tourism. Founded on 12 June 1986, non-stock and non-profit organization. The membership includes travel agencies, hotels, resorts, transportation companies, handicraft stores, and other tourism-oriented establishments and association.
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STAKEHOLDERS in the tourism industry are calling for better ways to promote the Philippines beyond its immediate source markets, and improve the traveler’s experience to boost visitor arrivals.
In a Viber message to the BusinessMirror, Philippine Hotel Owners Association Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr. said: “We are hoping that foreign visitor arrivals in the country will go back to prepandemic levels as soon as possible. Our hotels and resorts are still largely dependent on business coming from international guests. Government and private sector representatives must meet immediately and agree on the priority source markets and marketing activities so we can arrest the decline.”
During the recent Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) meeting, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) welcomed measures aimed at enhancing the country’s tourism industry, including efforts to liberalise visa policies and make the Philippines more accessible to international visitors.
The DoT supports the establishment of an electronic visa system to ease entry and the extension of stay for visa holders from American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, and Schengen countries, as well Singapore and the UK, from seven days to 30 days. This is expected to increase tourism spending and benefit local businesses.
The next ASEAN Tourism Forum will be hosted in the Philippine province of Cebu in January 2026, while preparatory meetings will be bound for Manila and Boracay.
Secretary of tourism Christina Garcia Frasco said: “As the Philippines takes on the Chairmanship of ASEAN 2026, I invite you to join us in the Philippines for the 29th ASEAN Tourism Ministers’ Meeting in Cebu on January 2026. It will be an opportunity not just to discuss policies, but to witness firsthand the immense potential for sustainable tourism growth in the region.”
MANILA – The Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka in Japan has drawn 40,252 visitors in the first nine days since the global gathering of nations officially opened on April 13, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Tuesday.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said this turnout is an “affirmation to the global curiosity, admiration, and connection” the Pavilion has sparked among international guests, with many calling it one of the “must-see experiences” at the expo.
MANILA – The soon-to-be-issued digital nomad visas (DNVs) for remote workers is expected to drive spending by international visitors who will be allowed to stay longer in the Philippines, as well as help boost tourism activities during off-peak seasons.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed on April 24 Executive Order No. 86, authorizing authorizing the Department of Foreign Affairs to issue DNVs to non-immigrant foreigners planning to visit and work remotely in the Philippines.
PHILTOA members share their unforgettable experience during a familiarization tour in Kashmir. From the warm hospitality of the Kashmiri people to breathtaking scenery and immersive cultural experiences, they were impressed by the beauty and charm of the region. With excellent accommodations, delicious food, and safe travel, they highly recommend Kashmir as a must-visit destination year-round.
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#IndiaFamiliarizationTour
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#KashmirFamiliarizationTour
One of PHILTOA’s Familiarization Tour in Kashmir representative Ms. Carlota Casas of EC Mind Tours experienced the exquisite Kashmirian tapestry and was featured on a local online news channel.
Experience the vibrant culture and craftsmanship of this beautiful region with your trusted travel agents/members soon!
DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Philippine Tour Operators Association Inc., the country’s leading and largest travel and tours group, and the provincial government of Negros Oriental joined hands in efforts to spur the tourism industry in the province.
For 2024, executive director and provincial tourism board chair of Negros Oriental Tourism Council Woodrow “RR” Maquiling Jr. said that the province targets 500,000 tourist arrivals, an increase from last year’s 272,000 inbound tourists.
The 2024 tourist arrival target is still far from the more than 1 million tourist arrival record in 2019, the last full year before the Philippines implemented travel restrictions due to COVID-19.
Maquiling, however, said that despite this, the Negros Oriental tourism numbers are picking up, reporting that in the first quarter of 2024 the province beached its 125,000 quarterly target and registered 142,000 tourist arrivals. This is a 155% increase from the 55,000 registered in Q1 of 2023.
He added that the Department of Tourism estimates that the 142,000 is equivalent to P2.8 billion revenue circulating among the people of the province.
The provincial tourism official said that tour operators can help Negros Oriental recover from the impact of COVID-19 and promoting the province to international and local clients.
“We had four governors in one term at the capitol. All the help you can extend to the province and the people of Negros Oriental ensuring that our tourism stays afloat is very much appreciated,” Maquiling said during the business-to-business session with PHILTOA and local stakeholders.
“PHILTOA will help us reach our goals, our targets. If we continue to push harder, maybe we can reach 600,000 arrivals by the end of the year,” he said in another speech last May 19, adding that 550,000 to 600,000 is equivalent to P10 to P12 billion revenue for the province.
Negros Oriental has faced several challenges amid the changes in leadership following the controversial killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
Currently, the province is led by Gov. Manuel “Chaco” Sagarbarría who assumed office in May 2023. Maquiling said tourism is among the top priorities of the incumbent provincial government who wishes to push tourism, culture and arts as an economic driver for the people of Negros Oriental.
As a reciprocal gesture to the warm welcome of the provincial government, the tour operator members of PHILTOA and members of the press visited Negros Oriental from May 16 to 19 to immerse in the tour offerings of the province and its capital Dumaguete City, dubbed the “City of Gentle People.” This coincided with the centennial celebration of the capitol.
The following members joined the familiarization tour eyed to market the diverse tourist destinations of the province including the world-famous Apo Island, Manjuyod White Sandbar, Balinsasayaw Twin Lakes, Dumaguete City’s historic gems such as the Belfry, Siliman University, St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral and the heart of the city, Rizal Boulevard, among others:
They also networked with the province’s fellow tour operators and hospitality groups including the Negros Oriental Association of Travel and Tour Agencies and the Negros Oriental Hotel Resort Restaurant Association in business-to-business sessions.
The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) puts another exclamation mark to its position as the premiere domestic and inbound tourism association by organizing a familiarization trip for its members and media to the island of Negros Oriental in partnership with the provincial tourism office. This event coincides with the grand Centennial celebration of the provincial capitol.
On the first day of the 4D/3N tour, 17 Manila-based tour operators met with an equal number of their Dumaguete counterparts for a B2B session in the afternoon.
Former Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director of NCR, Woodrow Maquiling, Jr., now the Executive Director of the Provincial Tourism Office of Negros Oriental, welcomed the PHILTOA delegation. He highlighted impressive numbers, revealing 272,000 tourist arrivals last year.
“I always post on social media that we are aiming for 500,000 tourist arrivals this year because of that data. In the first quarter of this year, we reached 142,000, an increase of 155% from last year, so that goal is reachable,” Maquiling said.
Former DOT Assistant Secretary and current PHILTOA VP Maria Lourdes Japson expressed her gratitude for the support given by the province and its private sector.
“As always, we are committed to supporting the growth and sustainability of the Philippine tourism industry. We believe that by working together, we can overcome challenges, adapt to new trends, and continue to attract visitors from around the globe,” Japson stated.
The PHILTOA tour included visits to the newly paved roads of the province, the pristine natural attractions of Apo Island and its marine sanctuary, Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park, the Manjuyod sandbar adventures, Bais dolphin watching, PulangBato falls, hot springs, Mag-aso sulfur vents, the immaculate National Museum of Dumaguete, Rizal Boulevard, St. Catherine Cathedral, and new Instagram-worthy sites like The Barn and Tierra Alta events place, while sampling traditional cuisine.
PHILTOA delegates also participated in another B2B event and social gathering at a dinner hosted by the Negros Oriental Hotel and Resorts Association (NOHRRA), led by its president, Royani Dy. The association currently has 68 stakeholders and frontliners of the hospitality sector as members.
Japson remarked that the tour operators are grateful for the market-friendly contracted rates offered by NOHRRA members, and emphasized the importance of the food industry with the burgeoning trend of food tourism, noting that Negros Oriental can excel in this area.
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental — The provincial government of Negros Oriental is set to celebrate the 100th year of its Capitol building in Dumaguete City on Friday.
For the centennial celebration of the Capitol building, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines is also slated to install a historical marker in the renowned structure.
Built in 1924, the provincial Capitol in Dumaguete houses the governor’s office and other provincial government offices.
According to the provincial government, its architecture, was patterned after the Capitol in the United States of America while its main body is Grecian and its columns are Ionic.
“During this period of American occupation, the colonizers hired the services of city planner and architect Daniel Hudson Burnham to design the new provincial capitol. Before, it was located in what is now the Serafin Teves residence at the Rizal Boulevard,” a Negros Oriental said.
The neoclassical building is similar to other structures like the fire-gutted Manila Post Office and the National Museum in Manila. Provincial capitols of Negros Occidental, Leyte and Cebu also has similar artchitecture.
Negros Oriental said it is “a living reminder of our colonial past that has brought to our shores the ideals of democracy.’
To mark the 100th year of the Capitol, Negros Oriental prepared activities including the commemorative centennial pyro-musical competition and a concert at Freedom Park, fronting the building.
Among the guest artists announced include Kuh Ledesma, Midnasty, “Tawag ng Tanghalan’s” Kim Hewitt, Willfreedo, Jacky Chang and Southbugs.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson, Sens. Risa Hontiveros, Jinggoy Estrada, Imee Marcos and Francis Tolentino will also grace the centennial celebration.
Negros Oriental Gov. Chaco invited the public to join the festivities. He also announced a photo and same-day edit video contest, where prizes awaits participants.
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