Indian tourist arrivals to reach 93K this year

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is expecting Indian tourist arrivals in the Philippines to reach 93,000 this 2016 as the agency banks on the potential of India as an emerging market.

Raymund Glen Agustin, chief tourism operations officer of the DOT’s Market Development Group, told The STAR tourist arrivals from India this year is seen to grow to 93,000, 24.29 percent higher than the 2015 arrivals of 74,824.

“We believe that the much needed growth will come from Indian group travel to the Philippines,” Agustin said.

“Aside from leisure, honeymoon, and family segments, we are getting a better foothold on the wedding and MICE (meetings, incentive, conventions and exhibitions), particularly the incentive travel segment,” he added.

According to Katherine De Castro, tourism undersecretary for advocacy and public affairs, India is one of the emerging markets being eyed by the DOT to develop further.

“Based on the study that was submitted to us, when (Indians) travel, they travel by groups. (We want) to be able to attract them to come to the Philippines without so much problems in terms of visa handling,” De Castro said in an interview.

DOT Region 4A director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit also expressed optimism in the potential of Indian group travels to boost the local tourism industry.

“Last year, India emerged as our 7th top market. This is the first time they made it to our top 10,” Labit said.

“They (Indians) spend and they stay long. We are studying this market right now. They are interested in the sun and beach, leisure, heritage and recreational activities. There’s also big potential for weddings, because they celebrate weddings in two weeks. Very interesting,” she added.

Indian tourist arrivals in Region 4A reached 2,784 in 2015, 44 percent higher than the 2014 level of 1,932.

The Tourism department  is conducting road shows in India to entice more Indians to visit the country, develop linkages with Indian tour operators, and for airlines to offer more tour packages to the Philippines.

Agustin said the DOT just recently organized a roadshow in Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, and Mumbai in India. The agency is also looking forward to joining the South Asia Travel and Tourism Expo in New Delhi and the Outbound Travel Mart in Mumbai next year.