DELHI- The Philippines has experienced a dramatic surge in interest from Indian travellers following the announcement of visa-free entry for Indian passport holders.
Travel searches from India increased by 28% immediately after the policy change, according to visa processing platform Atlys.
Visa-Free Entry to the Philippines
The announcement of visa-free entry for up to 14 days transformed the Philippines’ position among Southeast Asian destinations for Indian travellers.
The country previously ranked eighth among the most searched Southeast Asian destinations by Indian travellers on the Atlys platform. Following the visa policy update, the Philippines jumped to third place, positioning itself behind only Thailand and Indonesia.
Atlys reported that the sustained demand increase of 20-30% is expected to continue over the coming months. The platform emphasised that this sudden repositioning demonstrates the significant impact visa accessibility creates on destination interest, particularly within India’s rapidly expanding outbound travel market.
Travel Demographics
Data from Atlys reveals specific demographic patterns driving the search surge. Couples and honeymooners account for 42% of all recent Philippines-related searches, representing the largest segment of interested travellers.
Solo travellers constitute 27% of searches, with the majority originating from major metropolitan areas including Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru.
Families represent 21% of the search volume, with many planning comprehensive multi-stop itineraries. These family travellers typically combine beach destinations such as Palawan and Cebu with urban attractions in Manila, creating diverse travel experiences across the archipelago.
First-Time International Travellers
The policy change has particularly attracted first-time international travellers from India. These travellers increasingly view the Philippines as an accessible and attractive destination without the complications of visa application processes.
The elimination of visa requirements has reduced barriers for travellers who previously hesitated to explore international destinations due to documentation complexity.
The Philippines officially joined the expanding list of countries offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to Indian tourists.
Other countries in this category include Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka with a free e-visa, Seychelles, Indonesia with a visa on arrival, Maldives, Nepal, and Hong Kong with online pre-clearance, according to Anil Kalsi, Vice President of the Travel Agents Federation of India.
Entry Requirements
The Philippines Embassy in New Delhi outlined specific entry requirements for Indian nationals. Travellers may enter without a visa for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes.
Required documentation includes a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the contemplated stay, confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, proof of financial capacity, and a return or onward ticket to the next destination country.
Indian nationals holding valid American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, or United Kingdom visas or residence permits receive extended benefits. These travellers may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism, requiring only a passport valid for six months beyond their stay and return or onward tickets.
Enhanced Connectivity
Air India (AI) will launch direct flights between Delhi (DEL) and Manila (MNL) starting October 2025, adding momentum to the travel surge.
This new route will significantly improve travel access between India and the Philippines, potentially driving further increases in tourist arrivals and supporting the sustained growth in travel interest.
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