The Department of Tourism (DOT) is hopeful that a visa system applicable to countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN will soon be realized.

Serving as one of the preeminent speakers at the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 held in Bangkok on Thursday (May 15), Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that the proposal to have an ASEAN visa similar to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visa in the Middle East and the Schengen visa in Europe, aligns with ASEAN Tourism’s tagline and is one that she strongly advocates.

When asked whether Southeast Asian countries could move from competition to greater collaboration, Frasco emphasized the value of regional unity while maintaining healthy competition.

Meanwhile, Frasco shared that in light of the decline in Chinese visitor arrivals to the Philippines in recent years due to various factors, the DOT has learned to attract other potential sources of tourism.

“And so now, we are targeting markets such as the Middle East and the GCC, as well as India. And of course, to strengthen further our source markets from South Korea, Japan, the United States, as well as Europe,” she said.

She said the DOT saw growing numbers of tourists from the Middle East and the GCC, particularly coming from expat communities in the region: “Because of our efforts to diversify, we are seeing, for example, from the Middle East and the GCC, an average of no less than 500 to 800 percent growth rate in terms of international tourism arrivals.”

Frasco cited the various programs implemented by the DOT to increase the country’s attractiveness as a Halal and Muslim-friendly destination, including the recognition of more accommodation establishments and restaurants, as well as the launch of the Muslim-friendly Marhaba Cove in Boracay Island.

She added that visitors from Australia and South Korea ? among the Philippines’ top sources of tourists ? continue to rise in number with connectivity expanding, and with tourists coming to appreciate the country’s tourism products, including diving, golf tourism, as well as beach and adventure. DOT Office of Public Affairs and Advocacy