Air India to launch non-stop flights to Manila this year

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that Air India plans to launch non-stop flights to Manila later this year, expected to attract more Indian tourists to the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco made the announcement during a luncheon hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP), emphasizing the significance of direct flights in boosting Philippine tourism.

India is seen as a significant potential market for Philippine tourism, with around 79,000 Indian visitors in 2024, marking a 12 percent increase from the previous year but still lower than neighboring Southeast Asian states.

Frasco noted that while international visitor numbers have declined by 13.9 percent from South Korea and 33.7 percent from China, India presents an important market for recovery.

The DOT is also promoting the country as a wedding and MICE destination for Indians, alongside efforts to attract more tourists from Europe and GCC countries.

Frasco highlighted that the Philippines aims to enhance connectivity and tourism infrastructure to elevate its status as a top destination for Indian travelers.