Sunday, August 25, 2024 Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol and Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto recently engaged in talks aimed at strengthening trade and investment ties between Turkey and the Philippines. A key focus of their discussion was the potential expansion of flight routes between the two countries, a move expected to facilitate greater economic collaboration and boost tourism. In line with these efforts, data from the Department of Tourism indicated a significant 36 percent increase in Turkish tourists visiting the Philippines, with 5,777 arrivals recorded in the first seven months of the year, compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite this growth, Turkish tourists still accounted for only 0.22 percent of all foreign visitors to the Philippines, trailing behind other nations such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, which contributed 0.35 percent and 0.
43 percent, respectively. The impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been notable, with a United Nations Tourism report suggesting that Asian travelers are increasingly avoiding these regions due to heightened risk aversion. Although Turkey is mainly situated in West Asia, with a small portion in Southeast Europe, the shifting travel patterns may have implications for its tourism industry.
On the trade front, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the Philippines’ export activities in June were predominantly directed toward China, other Southeast Asian countries, and Russia. This reflects a br.