“We know that for Indians with rising incomes, travel decisions are moderated by two factors, ease of visa excess and direct flights,” he said.
“The Philippines is a fun destination. With its beaches, food and drinks, there is everything for everyone,” he said.
Harsh Kumar, the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, who welcomed the direct flight in Manila, said talks are on with other airlines to start direct flights between India and the Philippines.
“In 2024, around 79,000 Indian tourists travelled to the Philippines. In the first nine month of 2025, their number was around 66,000,” Philippines Tourism Board official Faye Agatha Mendoza said.
Christina Garcia Frasco, who has been the Philippines Tourism Secretary since 2022, said there is a huge potential to increase the footfall of Indian tourists in her country.
