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The decision comes in response to a request from Indian Ambassador Kumaran, emphasizing the importance of extending e-visas for Indian nationals visiting the Philippines
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President Marcos assured that the extension of e-visas would not be exclusive to India but would be applied uniformly to nationals from various countries
In a significant move to boost tourism and strengthen bilateral relations, the Philippines is set to grant electronic visas (e-visas) to foreigners, with a particular focus on Indian nationals. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made this announcement during a courtesy visit by Shambhu Kumaran, the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, at the presidential Malacañan Palace.
The decision comes in response to a request from Ambassador Kumaran, emphasizing the importance of extending e-visas for Indian nationals visiting the Philippines. President Marcos assured that the extension of e-visas would not be exclusive to India but would be applied uniformly to nationals from various countries.
The Philippines experienced a surge in foreign tourist arrivals, reaching 2.65 million in 2022. The introduction of e-visas is expected to further boost tourism and business, facilitating smoother people-to-people exchanges and strengthening international relations.
President Marcos expressed his commitment to finding a solution for e-visa extensions, stating, “It won’t be just India; we are doing it with several other countries as well to keep it.” He highlighted the initiative as a positive beginning for enhanced exchanges between the Philippines and other nations.
In terms of visitor statistics, India ranked eighth among top foreign visitors to the Philippines in 2022, with 51,542 arrivals, while China contributed significantly with over 1.7 million Chinese visitors before the onset of the pandemic
Ambassador Kumaran’s courtesy visit aimed to reaffirm India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the Philippines, especially with the upcoming commemoration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The move towards e-visas aligns with the Philippines’ broader efforts to enhance the tourism experience for foreign visitors. In March, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco identified visa reforms as crucial to addressing tourism bottlenecks. She specifically emphasized the potential for tourism growth from China and India, suggesting the exploration of e-visa provisions for their nationals.
In terms of visitor statistics, India ranked eighth among top foreign visitors to the Philippines in 2022, with 51,542 arrivals, while China contributed significantly with over 1.7 million Chinese visitors before the onset of the pandemic.
The proposed extension of e-visas reflects the Philippines’ commitment to fostering international relations and creating a welcoming environment for foreign tourists. The country’s recent recognition at the 2022 World Travel Awards, where it received accolades such as World’s Leading Beach Destination, World’s Leading Dive Destination, and Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction (Intramuros), further underscores its appeal as a global tourist destination.
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