Sunday, August 25, 2024 Turkish tourist arrivals in the Philippines increased by 36% this year, yet they still represent only 0.22% of all foreign visitors, according to DoT data. Turkish Ambassador Niyazi Evren Akyol emphasized the importance of the Philippine market for Turkey’s growing tourism industry, highlighting the potential benefits of expanding flight routes between the two nations.
During a recent meeting, Ambassador Akyol and Department of Finance (DoF) Secretary Ralph Recto explored various strategies to enhance bilateral investments and trade. A key focus of their discussions was the possibility of introducing additional flight routes to the Philippines, aiming to strengthen economic ties and boost tourism between Turkey and the Philippines. According to the Department of Tourism, the number of Turkish tourists visiting the Philippines saw a significant increase of 36 percent, reaching 5,777 in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2023.
Despite this growth, Turkish visitors represented only 0.22 percent of all foreign tourists to the Philippines, a smaller share compared to neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Russia, which accounted for 0.35 percent and 0.
43 percent, respectively. The United Nations Tourism noted that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has generally led Asian travelers to seek destinations outside these regions, as this demographic tends to be more risk-averse. While Turkey is primarily situated in West Asia, with only about three percent of its territory extending into Southeast Europe, it continues to maintain a modest presence in the Philippine tourism market.
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