India and Philippines set for tourism boom with new flights and growing ties

Manila: Following successful bilateral talks and the rollout of visa-free entry, the Philippines and India are nearing a breakthrough in tourism and aviation.

Given the recent developments, the combination of better connectivity, visa reforms, and collaborative marketing efforts would allow Indian travellers to visit the Philippines without a visa.

The southeast Asian country has recently introduced two categories of visa-free entry specifically for Indian nationals.

The Department of Tourism (DoT) in the Philippines is also reportedly working to “provide proof of concept and to test the market through charter flights,” signalling a strong intent to tap into India’s fast-growing outbound travel market.

In the aviation sector, authorities are working to pave the way for improved travel corridor, by allowing carriers from both countries to launch direct flights.

In February, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) met Air India executives to discuss the possible mounting of direct flights between the two countries.

The meeting, held at CAAP's office in Manila, tackled proposed routes, flight frequencies, and logistical considerations to ensure an efficient and seamless approval process.

The CAAP also discussed documentations, technical specifications, and procedural framework necessary for securing flight approvals.

Direct flights by year's end

On April 28, 2025,  during the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) meeting in Makati,  Philippines Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco announced Air India’s direct flights to Manila from the Indian capital, Delhi, “by the year’s end”.

Last year, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter chair and Ark Travel Express president Paz Alberto has pushed for the implementation of the e-visa system, which the group viewed as the key to unlocking the Indian travel market.

India has also become a key supplier of military equipment to Manila, with the delivery of the Brahmos supersonic missiles to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

A direct Delhi-Manila route, part of an Air India codeshare agreement with the Philippine Airlines (PAL), was originally eyed for October 2024, but was pushed back to 2025.

The cause of the delay was unclear.

PAL previously operated this route, but it was eventually discontinued. The possible of the route could offer a welcome development amid steadily rising Indian tourist arrivals.

Despite the lack of direct flights, arrivals from India have remained strong. In fact, Indian tourists have, at times, overtaken traditional long-haul markets in Philippine arrival statistics.

Tourism authorities believe that streamlined visa processes and better air connectivity could fuel even more growth.

Already, Indian travellers who hold valid visas from Japan, Australia, Canada, the Schengen area, Singapore, the US, or the UK are granted visa-free entry to the Philippines for 14 days, extendable up to 21 days.

Frasco previously confirmed that a working group from the Indian government visited the Philippines to explore closer tourism cooperation. “The purpose,” she said, “was to repair the Philippine tourism landscape in terms of opening it up to the Indian market.”

Frasco added that the DoT is closely coordinating with Indian tour operators and travel agents to organise group travel, aiming to clearly demonstrate demand.

“This is not just about opening routes — it’s about opening doors to one of the world’s most promising travel markets,” Frasco said.

Manila and New Delhi could unlock a powerful travel corridor — one that could send Indian tourist numbers soaring and give Philippine tourism the boost it needs.