Philippines Surpasses Tourism Goals, Thailand Aims for China Market Revival, Vietnam Airlines Partners with ACV
The tourism sectors in the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are showcasing significant growth and strategic developments as these nations aim to bolster their positions as top destinations in Asia.
Philippines Achieves Record International Visitors
The Philippines has successfully exceeded its tourism targets for 2023, welcoming over 5 million international visitors and generating more than PHP480 billion ($8.6 billion) in tourism receipts. With 5,450,557 international visitors recorded, the Philippines saw a notable increase from its target of 4.8 million, primarily driven by tourists from South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and China. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, this achievement underlines the nation’s thriving tourism landscape, with future plans to target 7.7 million international visitors in 2024, supported by the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028.
Thailand Seeks Growth Through China Market
Thailand witnessed a significant rise in passenger numbers in 2023, with Airports of Thailand (AoT) handling 105.9 million passengers, marking a nearly 69% increase from the previous year. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport alone accounted for half of this total. The upcoming implementation of a visa-free entry policy between Thailand and China for up to 30 days is expected to further invigorate the tourism sector, with Thailand aiming to attract 8 million Chinese visitors in 2024, striving to surpass the 3.5 million recorded in 2023 and nearing the pre-pandemic figure of 11 million in 2019.
Strategic Partnership Between ACV and Vietnam Airlines
The Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) and Vietnam Airlines have embarked on a strategic cooperation agreement to leverage their combined strengths and resources for the advancement of Vietnam’s aviation sector. This collaboration will focus on the joint development of aviation products and services, including advertising, communication, information technology, and digital transformation efforts. The partnership is aimed at improving service quality, operational efficiency, and business development, contributing to the growth of Vietnam’s aviation industry and its overall socio-economic progress.
These developments across the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam highlight the ongoing efforts and strategies employed by these countries to enhance their tourism and aviation sectors, reflecting a broader trend of growth and innovation within the Asia-Pacific region.