The Philippines and Thailand have signed a five-year tourism agreement to foster mutual growth and strengthen their tourism sectors.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Thailand's Minister of Tourism and Sports, Sorawong Thienthong, formalized the agreement during a ceremony in Malaysia.

Effective from 2025 to 2030, the program builds on the partnership established by the original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism, signed in Manila on 24 March 1993.

Frasco highlighted the Philippines' opportunity to learn from Thailand’s success in attracting tourists, particularly in cultural and medical tourism. “We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our own tourism offerings,” she said.

Meanwhile, Thienthong expressed enthusiasm for exchanging knowledge and technology with the Philippines.

The agreement focuses on four key areas: Tourism Cooperation, the Exchange of Best Practices, Human Resource Development, and Joint Tourism Promotions and Marketing. To ensure its success, a Joint Working Group (JWG) will be formed to coordinate and monitor activities under the program.