In a major push to attract more Indian visitors, the Philippines has rolled out visa-free travel and resumed direct flights from India — positioning itself as a key tourist destination in Southeast Asia.

Air India’s non-stop Delhi–Manila service, which began operations on October 1, marks the first direct connection between the two countries in a decade.

The initiative comes months after Manila introduced visa-free entry for Indian tourists, allowing a 14-day stay for leisure travel.

“Together with our visa-free regime for Indian tourists and the resumption of direct flights after ten years, we are ready to welcome you,” said Josel F Ignacio, Philippines Ambassador to India.

Highlighting India’s growing outbound travel market, Ignacio said, “For Indians with rising incomes, travel decisions are driven by ease of visas and flight access. With this new connectivity, you don’t lose a travel day — it’s a seamless experience.”

Echoing this optimism, Harsh Kumar, India’s Ambassador to the Philippines, said discussions were underway with other airlines to expand direct flight routes between the two nations.

According to the Philippines Tourism Board official Faye Agatha Mendoza, around 79,000 Indian tourists visited the Philippines in 2024. In the first nine months of 2025, nearly 66,000 Indians have already travelled there — a strong sign of growing interest.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the Philippines, with 7,600 islands, immense biodiversity, and rich cultural heritage, offers “a destination like no other.” She added that the government was keen to boost connectivity with more Indian cities.

Apart from tourists, the Philippines is also eyeing Indian filmmakers, offering its pristine beaches and scenic landscapes as ideal movie locations.

The closer tourism ties come on the heels of strengthened diplomatic relations — with India and the Philippines announcing a strategic partnership in August, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in New Delhi.