Philippines Sees a 6.32% Rise in Taiwanese Tourists

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recently announced a 6.32% increase in the number of Taiwanese citizens visiting the country over the past year. According to the report, a total of 213,928 Taiwanese nationals visited the Philippines as of December 31, 2025, highlighting the effectiveness of the visa-free entry program for Taiwanese travelers.

In a statement issued on February 26, DOT officials remarked, > “The growth reflects the cumulative impact of improved travel access, restored connectivity, and sustained destination visibility, reinforcing Taiwan’s position as one of the Philippines’ key source markets in Northeast Asia.”

Outbound travel up by over 12% Taiwan’s outbound travel market experienced a significant growth of 12.43% last year, with popular destinations such as Japan, Greater China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand continuing to dominate outbound traffic. The Philippines currently ranks ninth among Taiwan’s outbound travel destinations.

According to Chriselle May Yambao, the Philippine tourism attaché to Taiwan, > “The 6.32% growth reflects the steady return of Taiwanese travelers to the Philippines after a highly competitive year across Asia. It confirms that our market fundamentals remain strong and that demand for Philippine destinations continues to be resilient.”

The DOT attributes this increase to Manila’s initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and facilitating easier entry for Taiwanese visitors, positioning the Philippines as an ideal destination for leisure, cruise, and incentive travel.

Commercial and charter flight operations expanded in 2025, which allowed airlines to better cater to seasonal demand. Additionally, the Philippines boosted its presence in the regional cruise industry by introducing new itineraries, such as Star Cruises’ Star Navigator sailing through Kaohsiung.

Yambao explained, > “Improved connectivity and easier travel access were the main pillars of this recovery. With more flights, more cruise options, and visa-free entry, traveling to the Philippines became more convenient and more attractive for Taiwanese visitors.”

The DOT also maintained a strong promotional presence in Taiwan, engaging in a range of marketing activities aimed at maintaining awareness and confidence.

These efforts focused on establishing the Philippines as a safe, accessible, and value-driven destination, instead of relying on short-term price competition.

A diverse range of interests In 2025, Taiwanese travelers showed robust interest in beach and island destinations such as Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu; diving and marine activities; cruises; meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE); group travel; and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The DOT noted that this diverse portfolio also helped mitigate fluctuations across various sectors, allowing for a more balanced market recovery toward the end of the year.

Taiwanese tourists were welcomed into the Philippines without a visa for a duration of 14 days beginning July 1, 2025, following Taiwan’s announcement of a one-year extension of the visa-free entry scheme for Filipinos.