Perth—In an effort to attract more Australian tourists, the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has intensified its promotional activities, coinciding with an increase in flight frequencies between the two countries.
According to Philippines News Agency, during the 24th World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Perth on October 9, DOT Secretary Christina Frasco urged Filipino community leaders and the Australia Philippines Business Council to help promote the Philippines as a top global travel destination. “Our quest to establish the Philippines as a premier global destination is not merely a pursuit in and of itself. It is a shared commitment to showcasing the beauty, culture, traditions, and spirit of our nation,” Frasco stated at the “Love the Philippines: Tourism and Travel Forum.”
Starting October 27, Philippine Airlines will increase its operations to daily flights between Manila and Brisbane, enhancing connectivity. Krystle Ramirez-Gastrock, PAL area manager for Australia, announced that the total weekly flights between Australia and the Philippines will reach 22 non-stop connections across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. “This represents a 22-percent increase in frequency compared to our normal pre-pandemic operations, making us the airline with the widest network of flights between Australia and the Philippines,” Ramirez-Gastrock noted.
Australia is a crucial market for Philippine tourism, ranking as the fifth largest source of tourist arrivals. Nearly 200,000 Australians have visited the Philippines as of October 7, with many staying an average of nearly 13 nights. Frasco highlighted that over 62 percent of visitors from Australia are repeat tourists, underscoring their continued interest in the Philippine islands and culture.
Additionally, the summit featured discussions on sustainable gastronomy tourism, with Frasco participating in a panel on the role of food and wine tourism. She outlined the development of a Philippine food and gastronomy tourism roadmap that integrates with cultural and creative tourism, designed through extensive consultations to ensure inclusivity for all stakeholders, including local farmers and artisans.
The Philippines’ gastronomy tourism was also celebrated, with cities like Angeles, Bacolod, and Iloilo gaining international recognition for their culinary offerings. Angeles City was named Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the World Culinary Awards, Bacolod City was declared the Slow Food Hub for Asia Pacific, and Iloilo City was recognized by UNESCO as a Creative City for Gastronomy.
The WTTC Global Summit served as a prime platform for promoting global tourism collaboration and showcased Australia’s cultural heritage and natural beauty, positioning Perth as a vibrant coastal city ripe for international visitors.