Tourism Undersecretary for Finance and Administration Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan invites ambassadors and business executives from Europe to send more tourists to the Philippines at a luncheon meeting of the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines. Guest panelists are Samuel David, IATA Country Manager for the Philippines and Cenelyn Manguilimotan-Dalnay, COO Parklane Hotels and Resorts . Benito Bengzon Jr.
“We hope in a few months there will be a free trade agreement [FTA] between the Philippines and the European Union [EU]. This will be an engine for business coming here. Business also attracts tourists. So I believe that there will be a lot more European tourists in the Philippines,” she said at the event’s open forum.
DOT Undersecretary for Finance Shereen Yu-Pamintuan, a key speaker at the ECCP meeting, said the agency recognizes the importance of Europe as a major source market for tourists. “We are focusing on developing all of the products that are the top of mind of the Europeans.
Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association projects that recovery of international flight connectivity and passenger traffic to the Philippines will likely be in 2026. IATA country manager Samuel David noted that while cargo ticket sales have doubled, “We’re not quite there. As of June 2023, when you compare our passenger data of travelers to the Philippines to 2019, we’re still at 75 percent international passenger traffic.