Taiwanese Tourists Keep Coming Back to the Philippines — Arrivals Up 6.32% in 2025 Thanks to Visa-Free Entry and More Flights

Taiwanese tourist arrivals to the Philippines grew 6.32% in 2025, reaching 213,928 visitors compared to 201,203 in 2024. The Bureau of Immigration data confirms that the Philippines' tourism recovery from Taiwan continues to build momentum, with the country ranking ninth among Taiwan's outbound destinations.

DOT tourism attaché Chriselle May Yambao credited the growth to strong market fundamentals. "The 6.32-percent growth reflects the steady return of Taiwanese travelers to the Philippines after a highly competitive year across Asia," she said. "Demand for Philippine destinations continues to be resilient."

Several factors drove the increase. The continued visa-free entry policy for Taiwanese travelers reduced barriers and made the Philippines more competitive for short-haul leisure trips. Expanded air connectivity with additional charter and commercial flight frequencies throughout 2025 also helped, giving travelers more flexibility in planning their visits.

Cruise tourism also played a role, with new itineraries including Star Cruises' Star Navigator sailing via Kaohsiung. These new routes introduced more Philippine ports to Taiwanese travelers — a segment that's been growing steadily across Asia.

"With more flights, more cruise options and visa-free entry, traveling to the Philippines became more convenient and more attractive for Taiwanese visitors," Yambao said. In a region where every country is competing for tourist dollars, a 6% increase is nothing to sneeze at. The challenge now is converting these visitors into repeat travelers — and ideally, bigger spenders. Sana next time, more than just Boracay.

Source: The Manila Times