ASEAN Visa System Proposal Gains Traction
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has shown strong interest in developing a visa system for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries. This initiative aims to simplify travel within Southeast Asia, enhancing regional tourism collaboration.
At the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 held in Bangkok, Thailand, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the idea of an ASEAN visa system modeled after the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visa in the Middle East and the Schengen visa in Europe. She emphasized that the ASEAN visa system aligns perfectly with the region’s tourism slogan: “A destination for every dream.”
“[T]he ASEAN visa certainly is part of that dream. To be able to unify the ASEAN as a destination in terms of the strength of its natural assets, its unparalleled warmth and hospitality as a people, and as a culture, and in terms of the quality of experiences that we are able to offer, is one that is aspirational for us in the Philippines,” Frasco said.
She added, “And as a Minister of Tourism, it is a proposition that I have tried to make at every opportunity. I am glad to hear similar interest from our fellow ASEAN nations, and we are very hopeful that the subject matter will again come up as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN in 2026.”
Promoting Regional Unity Through Tourism
Frasco also discussed the importance of balancing competition with cooperation among Southeast Asian countries. “Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier in a sense that ASEAN coming together to work as a force for good for the world would really benefit all of our countries,” she explained.
In line with this, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed an administrative order confirming the Philippines’ role as chairman of ASEAN and host of its summit meetings in 2026, following the bloc’s agreement in September 2023.
Adjusting to Changing Tourism Trends
The DOT chief acknowledged a noticeable drop in Chinese tourists visiting the Philippines in recent years due to multiple factors. However, this challenge has encouraged the department to diversify its tourism markets.
“The lesson that we learned from that is to really be able to diversify our dependency into other markets as well,” Frasco noted.
Currently, the department is actively targeting new source markets such as the Middle East and the GCC countries, India, and aims to further strengthen visitor arrivals from South Korea, Japan, the United States, and Europe.
By pursuing the ASEAN visa system and expanding its tourism reach, the Philippines hopes to boost regional collaboration and ensure sustainable growth in visitor arrivals.
For more news and updates on ASEAN visa system, visit Filipinokami.com.