Jaipur: Encouraged by last year's 25 per cent year-on-year growth in Indian arrivals, the Philippines is looking at increasing flight connections between the two countries and easing its visa requirements.
The destination is aiming to increase arrivals from India by an ambitious 43 per cent to a total of 66,000 visitors in 2013, up from last year’s 46,000.
Benito Bengzon, assistant secretary – international tourism promotion, Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT), noted that India was already among the country’s top 15 source markets.
Planning to target MICE groups and Indian filmmakers, the DoT is looking for airlines interested in connecting key Indian cities to Manila in the hopes of doubling the number of such flights. Currently, Philippine Airlines runs a thrice-weekly service between New Delhi and Manila via Bangkok.
16/04/13 Shekhar Niyogi/TTG Asia
