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VinFast partners with 14 e-scooter dealers in the Philippines
VinFast has announced strategic partnerships with 14 e-scooter dealers in the Philippines, marking a significant step in its plan to expand its retail network and promote green mobility in the region. The agreements, formalised through Memoranda of Understanding, will support VinFast's upcoming product launch in June 2026. The Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer is collaborating with prominent motorcycle distributors such as Wheeltek Motor Sales Corporation, Gentrade International Phils Inc, and Transcycle Superbikes Corporation. These partners, known for their extensive networks and operational capabilities, will help VinFast establish showrooms in high-demand areas like Metro Manila, Metro Davao, and Metro Cebu. The showrooms will adhere to VinFast's global standards, ensuring a consistent brand experience. Initially, the network will offer a range of swappable-battery e-scooters, including models like Evo, Feliz II, and Viper. These products are designed to meet local infrastructure conditions and consumer preferences in the Philippines, one of Southeast Asia's largest motorcycle markets. With rising fuel prices and a shift towards sustainable solutions, e-scooters are becoming increasingly popular. VinFast is also developing a comprehensive e-scooter ecosystem in the Philippines, which includes dealer networks, aftersales services, and energy infrastructure. The company plans to deploy approximately 30,000 battery-swapping stations nationwide, enhancing user convenience. Vo Thi Cam Tu, Managing Director of VinFast E-Scooters Overseas Market, stated, "Our partnerships with 14 major dealers in the Philippines mark an important step in rapidly establishing a strong distribution and service foundation from the outset." VinFast's expansion into the e-scooter market complements its existing electric vehicle portfolio and aligns with its global strategy to promote sustainable transportation across Southeast Asia This story was selected and published by a human editor, with content adapted from original press material using AI tools. Spot an error? Report it here.
Philippines ramps up strategies and infrastructure as global sports tourism sector hits $707 billion
With Filipino tennis star Alex Eala scoring high on the world’s courts and Filipino celebrities making their way to regional sporting events like HYROX Singapore, it’s not surprising that the Filipino people are keen on travelling to either watch or compete in events overseas. But the fun doesn’t stop there; indeed, the country is working on its own national sports tourism agenda, seeking to cash in on the rising popularity of the sector worldwide. It could prove to be a financial boon to the country as the global sports tourism sector is currently worth US$707.29 billion as of end-2025 and is set to grow at a rate of 11.79 percent per annum between now and 2034. However, given how Philippine tourism continues to struggle (and, as of press time, the current administration has yet to name a new tourism secretary), could pushing to become a regional hub for sports tourism be too far-fetched a goal? A necessary shot in the arm In November 2025, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) pointed out how sports tourism could be the much-needed shot in the arm for the Philippine tourism industry. As a PSC spokesperson declared at the time: “The development of sports tourism in the country will not only strengthen the Philippines’ position as a premier international sports destination, but also generate employment, attract investments, stimulate local economies and contribute to infrastructure and tourism development.” To be fair, the Philippines is no novice when it comes to hosting global sporting events: it has, after all, played host to several editions of the Southeast Asian Games, as well as events like the qualifiers for the FIBA Men’s Basketball World Cup and the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup. However, the country has been slow to take full advantage of such events, often repairing / refurbishing sporting venues in the months, even weeks, prior to an event as opposed to investing in their long-term maintenance. At the same time, compared to other tourism growth areas, sports tourism has barely been given visibility in any of the promotional campaigns presented to the world. Is the game about to change? More recently, the Philippine government convened its first-ever National Sports Tourism-Inter Agency Committee (NST-IAC), a group that works in close coordination with both the PSC and the Department of Tourism (DOT). The Committee’s mandate is to develop initiatives aligned with Philippine laws regarding hosting bids for international sporting events. It has also been tasked to empower local economies by bringing large-scale domestic sporting events to their jurisdiction. As NST-IAC chair Patrick Gregorio put it: “It’s not just about events, it’s about creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and showcasing the Philippines on the world stage. We are looking forward to making each hosting bigger and better in the years ahead. Beyond the competition itself, this effort is about charging up the local economy and positioning our country as a global sports tourism driver.” To date, the NST-IAC has already hosted two successful sporting events: the Philippine Women’s Open in January and the Philippine Golf Championship in February. A caveat to consider However, it may be argued that these are but a beginning for the Committee, and these specifically revolve around hosting events. Critics argue that there is more to sports tourism than just hosting; it also entails promoting specific destinations to both local and foreign markets. One point that comes up in their arguments is the promotion of the island paradise of Siargao, an area rapidly gaining global attention as a prime surfing destination. For the most part, Siargao has been promoted via word of mouth: usually one avid surfer regaling his fellow enthusiasts with experiences in those southern waves. In which case, the NST-IAC seriously needs to step up its game, specifically to the Millennial, Gen Z, and even Gen Alpha travellers who do spend to join events overseas or to ride the waves and bike the hills elsewhere. At the same time, the public is waiting on the Committee to outline its strategic direction: specifically what events to promote, what sports to pitch to global travellers, what amenities to add to the growing number of sporting venues throughout the country. It is, to be fair, early days, but let us make something clear: if the NST-IAC doesn’t learn from the promotional mistakes of both the PSC and the DOT, then its formation and impetus will all be for nought.
Philippines misses tourism targets as service and facility standards lag behind ASEAN rivals
In January, we did a feature on Philippine tourism, essentially a deep dive into why the country continues to fall short of its annual arrivals targets despite some of the most visually memorable and striking promotional campaigns in the world. Since that article was published, Christina Frasco stepped down as the country’s tourism secretary and the Department of Tourism announced its plans of increasing the number of inbound arrivals from North America, West Asia, China, and India. As of press time, Philippine President Ferdinand R Marcos Jnr still hasn’t named Frasco’s successor, and undersecretary Verna Buensuceso remains the department’s officer-in-charge, but operations continue. With that said, however, the country will continue to miss the mark if it does not address the major issues that are preventing tourists from coming back to the Philippines or, worse, discouraging them from putting the country on their personal travel maps. Four points for improvement I speak as a former public relations and advertising professional when I say the problem isn’t in the Philippines’ marketing campaigns and their related paraphernalia. The campaigns are professionally done: slick, polished, colourful; appealing to the tastes of travellers of all ages and all nationalities. The real issue is a “perception vs reality” matter: foreign travellers find themselves entranced by the sound and imagery, but what they encounter is a completely different matter. For this reason, we feel that Philippine tourism authorities ought to address four specific issues before they even begin to tout the country as a prime global destination. It’s a matter of infrastructure and connectivity We have lamented the state of airports throughout the world, particularly in the developing world. But it should be noted that the piece was inspired by experiences shared by fellow travellers regarding the shoddy state of Philippine airports: the lack of facilities for travellers experiencing physical difficulty, mechanised walkways that have remained under “maintenance” or various states of disrepair for more than a year now, the application of new technologies that were apparently not road-tested prior to rollout. If the Philippines wants to make a strong positive impression as soon as travellers arrive, then its airports must serve as its business card: properly working and maintained facilities, the correct measures for accessibility in place, and the comfort of the traveller in mind. Also, such niceties should not be confined to just major cities like Manila and Cebu: the country’s regional airports, especially in tourism boomtowns like Boracay and Siargao, are in desperate need of total refurbishment. It’s time to enter the digital age Experts have likewise complained that the Philippines, once the standard its ASEAN neighbours sought to emulate and equal, has now fallen behind Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and now even Vietnam in terms of the use of technological innovations in tourism. The DOT needs to team up with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to see where relevant technologies may best be deployed. At the same time, upskilling of airport, hospitality, and tourism professionals should be mandatory, especially where the use of these technologies is concerned. Beyond Boracay The Philippines is more than just its beaches, its fiestas, and Apo Whang-Od’s mambabatok tattoos: there is a great deal that the country can offer if only the government could just sit down and properly study the potential of alternative destinations.. Indeed, the country has significant potential as a destination for art aficionados, agritourism, gastronomic tourism, and medical tourism. It is also time for the country to go beyond the usually touted destinations and into places like the university town of Dumaguete, the notoriously difficult to get to islands of Batanes, and even Zamboanga, the only bastion of Spanish Colonial Rule in the country’s deep south. Sustainability matters The problem I have seen with Philippine tourism is that it goes gung-ho for development: massive hotels brought in by major global brands, extraordinary attractions to draw in visitors of all ages, madcap festivals that highlight the best in local hospitality, gastronomy, and even fashion. However, it was a major blow to the country when Boracay Island closed down for a full six months in 2018, ostensibly to repair the damage caused by overdevelopment, rampant littering, and the literal poisoning of the environment. That health, safety, and environmental standards were neglected in favour of profitability said a lot at the time of authorities’ priorities, and should have served as a wake-up call for the stakeholders of Philippine tourism. Even today, local and national authorities are still struggling to ensure the long-term resilience of destinations, thanks to difficulties in implementing measures related to waste management, conscious tourism management, as well as health and safety. To be fair, the situation is not hopeless: the Philippines has a great deal to show the world and a whole lot to teach it in terms of its history and traditions. However, if steps are not made in the right direction, then Philippine tourism will continue to miss its targets no matter how fabulously it presents the country to the world.
Philippines notes 6.32% increase in Taiwanese tourist arrivals
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recently reported that there was a 6.32 percent increase in Taiwanese arrivals in the country over the past year. According to the DOT, 213,928 Taiwanese nationals came to the country as of 31st December 2025, proof that the country’s visa-free entry programme for Taiwan has been effective. In a statement released on Thursday, 26th February, DOT officials said: “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 percent Taiwan’s outbound travel market grew by 12.43 percent overall last year, with destinations such as Japan, Greater China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand continuing to dominate outbound traffic. At present, the Philippines ranks ninth among Taiwan’s outbound destinations. According to Philippine tourism attaché to Taiwan Chriselle May Yambao: “The 6.32 percent 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 attributed the increase to Manila’s efforts to improve connectivity and ease entry for Taiwanese travellers, which made the country an ideal destination for short-haul leisure, cruise, and incentive travel. Both commercial and charter flight operations saw expanded routes and frequencies in 2025, allowing airlines to better respond to seasonal demand. At the same time, the Philippines strengthened its presence in the regional cruise sector, with the introduction of new cruise itineraries, including Star Cruises’ Star Navigator sailing via Kaohsiung. Yambao said: “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 consistent destination presence in Taiwan through a range of intensified promotional activities, trade engagements, and market-facing initiatives designed to sustain awareness and confidence. These efforts, it said, focused on reinforcing the Philippines as a safe, accessible, and value-driven destination, rather than short-term price competition. A diverse range of interests In 2025, Taiwanese visitors continued to show strong interest in beach and island destinations, including Boracay, Palawan, and Cebu; diving and marine experiences; cruise; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and group travel; and English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. The DOT said this diversified portfolio also helped cushion fluctuations across different segments and allowed the market to recover more evenly toward year-end. Taiwanese tourists were allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for 14 days on 1st July 2025 following Taiwan’s earlier announcement of its one-year extension of the visa-free entry scheme for Filipino tourists.
Philippines generates significant sales leads at 2026 Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine
The Philippines generated over PHP80 million in sales leads during its stint at last month’s Salon de la Plongée Sous-Marine in Paris. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), this year’s leads from the annual Paris dive show rose 43 percent compared to the PHP56 million sales leads secured last year. During the travel trade show held at the Parc des Expositions from 8th to 11th January,, the Philippine delegation showcased iconic dive sites in the country such as Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Bohol, Anilao, Cebu, Puerto Galera, Dumaguete, Ticao Island and Southern Leyte. Among the Philippine companies and agencies that participated in the show were Seadoors Liveaboard, Sea Explorers, Solitude Acacia Resort, Ticao Island Resort, Blue Lagoon Dive Resort, El Galleon Resort/Asia Divers, M/Y Resolute, Thalatta Resort, Casalay Boutique Villas and Dive Resort, Atmosphere Resorts & Spa, Magic Resorts Philippines, Abyssworld Philippines, Inc, Peter’s Dive Resort, and the Sogod Bay Scuba Resort. The event was attended by a diverse array of diving industry professionals, including associations, boats, diving centres, insurance providers, manufacturers, distributors, media, tourism offices, training organizations, dive operators, and travel agents. Immersive in more ways than one The Philippine pavilion featured immersive underwater photography panels from 12 DOT-accredited dive establishments to put spotlight on the Philippines' rich marine biodiversity, sustainability initiatives, and conservation-driven tourism programs. Southern Leyte’s Sogod Bay Dive Sites took centerstage as the Pavilion’s Featured Destination, showcasing Eastern Visayas’ growing profile as a conservation-oriented dive tourism hub. According to the Philippine Embassy in Paris, there were an estimated 350,000 scuba divers in France in 2024, ten percent of whom travel abroad for diving with tour operators.
HBX Group to bring MarketHub Asia to the Philippines next year
All roads lead to the Philippines in 2027 as HBX Group announced the country as the venue for the next run of MarketHub Asia. This is the first time that the event will be held in the Philippines and the announcement comes in the wake of MarketHub Asia 2026 in Bali, Indonesia. The sixth edition of HBX’s signature B2B travel tech conference expects to open its doors to around 400 client-partners, thought leaders, primary decision makers, and travel tech innovators from 16 international source markets come the first quarter of next year. A significant choice Chief distribution officer David Amsellem remarked that the Philippines stands out as a market with a great deal for the world to discover. Amsellem said: “There is real depth and diversity here, supported by an ecosystem that is increasingly ready to engage globally. MarketHub Asia 2027 allows us to connect that potential to our worldwide network in a meaningful, structured, and sustainable way.” The selection of the Philippines as host affirms the country’s steady advancement as a competitive Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in Asia. Continued investments in convention infrastructure and event-ready facilities have strengthened the country’s capacity to stage high-level global events. At the same time, the Filipino culture of hospitality, characterized by warmth, professionalism, and attention to detail, adds a distinct human dimension that elevates every gathering into a meaningful and memorable experience.
Philippines pushes Higatangan Island as a luxury destination
Higatangan Island in the central Philippines stands to become one of the world’s newest luxury destinations. This stems from the possibility that the destination could be included in the 2027-2028 cruise season of French luxury cruise line Ponant. Higatangan’s potential inclusion in the season itinerary was brought up following a site assessment conducted by Ponant’s director of cruise research Sylvianne de Tracy, together with Intercruises commercial development manager Errol James Chicano, Travel People Ltd representative Vhino Alegarbes, and officials from the regional office of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) last week. De Tracy and the team toured various parts of the island to evaluate its readiness as a cruise destination. Preliminary findings The assessment enabled the delegation to experience the island’s unique and authentic character first-hand. Indeed, participants were impressed by Higatangan Island’s pristine natural environment, scenic coastal landscapes, and rich cultural offerings. In a statement released on Friday, 30th January, the local government of Naval, Biliran where the island is located declared: “The visit represents a major step toward positioning Higatangan Island on the international cruise tourism map. If included in Compagnie du Ponant’s itinerary, the island is expected to gain increased global exposure and benefit from new tourism opportunities.” Local stakeholders also expressed optimism that the potential inclusion of Higatangan in the next cruise season would help boost sustainable tourism while preserving the island’s natural and cultural heritage. Prior to the inspection the Australian cruise ship MV Coral Geographer docked into Higatangan Island last 12th December, giving 80 guests a memorable and immersive cultural experience.
VFS: visa applications from Philippines up 8% in 2025
VFS Global reports that visa application volumes from the Philippines rose by eight percent year on year in 2025. The increase is attributed to renewed traveller confidence in exploring global destinations which, for Filipinos, includes Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK. According to VFS Global’s regional head in North Asia Atul Lall: “This healthy rise in visa applications from the Philippines last year indicates that travellers' confidence has been restored and people are exploring their favourite global destinations again. We are confident that this positive travel momentum will sustain in 2026 as well. We urge applicants planning to travel overseas from the Philippines to apply for their visas in advance to avoid the last-minute rush.” Personalised services help spur on numbers Strong demand for personalised services, designed to enhance convenience for visa applicants, continued to be a defining trend in 2025 visa application patterns. Visa At Your Doorstep (VAYD), a service that empowers applicants to complete their entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their homes or any other location of their choice, registered a significant 62 percent year-on-year increase in 2025. Similarly, the demand for Premium Lounge, an optional service which provides end-to-end personalised assistance with visa application submission from the comfort of a lounge, is rising with the rise in application volumes. Another service named Prime Time, which allows visa application submission outside of working hours and even on weekends, has seen a healthy adoption since the pandemic. Lall remarked: “We continue to see a healthy adoption of personalised services such as VAYD and Premium Lounge by discerning travellers post the pandemic due to health considerations. These services enhance the overall visa application experience for applicants by avoiding the need for them to stand in a queue. We foresee higher demand for such premium services prioritising safe travel this year as well.”
Philippines seeks more arrivals from North America, China, India, & MidEast
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) plans to expand its promotions budget for several key and emerging markets in 2026, including the United States, South Korea, Canada, China, India and the Middle East. Tourism secretary Christina Frasco said the DOT intends to fully recover the South Korean market, which slipped to 1.34 million last year from 1.45 million in 2024. She added that the DOT will also capitalise on the US as one of the country’s most reliable markets to pull the arrival numbers for 2026. With regard to Canada, the DOT is optimistic that the new connections through Air Canada would bring in more Canadian tourists into the country. 2025 in a nutshell The Philippines recorded 6.4 million foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos in 2025, generating an estimated PHP694 billion in tourism receipts. Of this number, South Korea remains the top market, followed by the US with 1.32 million visitors, Japan with 469,521, Australia with 359,646, and Canada with 333,136. China ranked sixth with 237,101 while India ranked 11th with 104,994 visitors from January to December 2025. Into the east Looking ahead, the DOT will also ramp up promotional activity in China as the Philippines eases its visa policy for Chinese nationals, allowing them visa-entry of up to 14 days in the country. Frasco remarked: “China has been challenging, to say the least. So, for China specifically, we’re working with our Beijing and Shanghai offices plus the private sector. We will have a very specific targeted campaign in certain cities even as we work with the airlines to recover the pre-pandemic flights.” It was noted that inbound flights to the Philippines from China are only up to 50 percent of their pre-pandemic totals, so the new visa policy stands to be of good help. Likewise, the Philippines sees promising growth from the Middle East, particularly from the United Arab Emirates market whose leisure travelers coming into the country have increased significantly over the past year. UAE flag carrier Emirates is also requesting increased slots from the UAE to Manila as well as the retention or expansion of their Cebu and Clark flights.
Hotel101-Manila is the official residence for Miss World Philippines and Mr World Philippines 2026
Hotel101 Group recently signed an agreement with ALV Pageant Circle, organiser of the Miss World Philippines and Mr. World Philippines pageants. That said, the hotel will serve as both the official residence for the candidates, as well as the official venue for the events. Each candidate will stay in the hotel’s signature HappyRoom complete with modern amenities. In addition, the hotel’s well-maintained facilities such as the swimming pool and restaurant, and its central location make it the ideal home for the candidates leading up to the event. Supporting beauty with a purpose Hotel101 Group general manager Charley Magabo said following the signing: “Our partnership with the Miss World and Mr. World pageants is indicative of our shared mission to showcase the best of Filipino talents on the global stage. Hotel101-Manila is looking forward to providing comfort, convenience, and our signature brand of Filipino hospitality to the candidates.” ALV Pageant Circle president Arnold Vegafria likewise declared that the Miss World Philippines Organization is excited to partner with Hotel101. Vegafria said: "We look forward to many purposeful collaborations as we strive to live up to our Beauty With A Purpose advocacy, and as we align our visions for a mutually beneficial partnership that will extend beyond this pageant season.”
Philippines Department of Tourism (PDOT)
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Philippines
Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu – Philippines
Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu Punta Engaño Mactan Island, Cebu Philippines
24/7 Customer Philippines, Inc.
Philippines
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