Philippines is ranked as the eighth most searched Southeast Asian destination among Indian travellers
Recent decision by the Philippines government to grant visa-free entry for Indian visitors for up to 14 days and the proposed launch of a direct flight from Delhi to Manila by Air India has led to a spike in online searches in India for the southeast Asian nation, says Atlys, a leading visa processing platform.
In a press statement, Atlys says that within a week, it registered a 28 pc surge in travel searches and that it expects a further rise of 20–30 pc in sustained demand over the coming months.
The statement adds that earlier the Philippines was ranked as the eighth most searched Southeast Asian destination among Indian travellers on Atlys. However, following the visa exemption, it swiftly climbed to third place, trailing only Thailand and Indonesia.
Atlys says that this repositioning highlights the powerful impact of visa accessibility on destination choice, especially within India’s booming outbound travel sector.
Mohak Nahta
“The removal of visa restrictions has clearly lowered the friction for planning travel. The Philippines has always had the right ingredients to attract Indian tourists: sun, sea, culture. But now, with this policy shift, it is no longer a distant consideration, it is an immediate contender,” says Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO, Atlys.
The statement adds that the move by the Philippines government is set to capitalise on the growing appetite for international travel among Indians, who are increasingly prioritising experience-driven vacations and shorter stays.
According to the statement, its data reveals that couples and honeymooners are leading the charge, accounting for 42 pc of all recent Philippines-related searches. Solo travellers make up 27 pc, with the majority of interest originating from major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru.
The statement adds that families represent another 21 pc, many of whom are planning multi-stop itineraries that combine beach paradises such as Palawan and Cebu with urban experiences in Manila.
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