Half a million Chinese tourists visit Philippines amid POGO ban, tensions
The number of tourists from China to the Philippines saw a 20 per cent increase last year despite geopolitical tensions and the government’s intense ban on offshore gaming operators (POGOs).
According to data from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), 500,082 visited the Philippines in 2024, up from 417,128 in the year 2023. This uptick in visitors comes despite the July 2024 ban on POGOs, which was anticipated to significantly hamper the numbers of Chinese visitors.
Additionally, diplomatic tensions over maritime disputes and incidents such as the arrests of Chinese nationals accused of espionage did not seem to deter arrivals significantly. However, Chinese arrivals dropped sharply by 35.3 per cent, with only 53,250 visitors recorded in the first two months of 2025.
Tourism skyrockets to 14.7M in 2024
The total number of international visitors to the Philippines reached 14.7 million in 2024, marking a recovery but still below the 17 million arrivals in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global travel. While the rise in Chinese visitors was notable, the tourism industry has yet to fully regain its pre-pandemic strength.
The first two months of 2025 have seen a 1 per cent increase in total visitor arrivals, reaching 1,167,908 by 28 February. This growth was largely driven by a 33.1 percent surge in overseas Filipinos returning home, with 84,506 arrivals recorded in this category.
However, foreign tourist numbers declined slightly by 0.9 per cent to 1,083,402 compared to the same period in 2024.
February 2025 recorded 541,008 visitors, marking a drop from 626,900 in January and 582,332 in February 2024. The Philippines’ key tourism markets showed mixed results in early 2025. South Korean arrivals fell 10.6 per cent to 294,652, signalling a notable decline.
China’s visa free: a policy paying off?
However, arrivals from the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada saw year-on-year growth, helping to balance the numbers.
Despite the fluctuations, the Philippines welcomed visitors from 154 different countries in 2025, demonstrating its broad appeal. Chinese tourists continue to enjoy a visa-free stay for up to seven days, with an option to extend for another 14 days, a policy that has likely contributed to continued interest from China.
While challenges remain, particularly in attracting visitors from South Korea and China, the resilience of Philippine tourism suggests a steady path towards recovery.
