Chinese visitor arrivals this year have improved to more than 200,000, prompting the Department of Tourism (DOT) to reaffirm its readiness to welcome more Chinese travelers next year.

In a statement, the DOT reported a total of 5.606 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, with China ranking sixth at 262,144 arrivals. China trailed South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada—a performance the DOT attributed to visa disruptions, security perceptions, and limited air connectivity.

Tourism Attaché to China Ireneo Reyes said the reintroduction of the Philippine electronic visa (e-Visa) in November 2025 marked a critical step toward restoring confidence and easing travel for Chinese tourists, with stronger gains expected in early 2026.

“The e-Visa resumption is a critical step forward and a clear signal that the Philippines is open, ready, and eager to welcome our Chinese friends,” Reyes said.

“While the timing meant that its full benefits could not be felt within the peak booking periods of 2025, we expect a more visible impact beginning in the first quarter of 2026.”

The DOT noted that recovery has also been constrained by reduced flight capacity, with China–Philippines routes operating at only about 45 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

It said the agency is working closely with aviation and tourism stakeholders to gradually rebuild connectivity and traveler confidence.

“With China being one of the world’s largest outbound travel markets, improving air connectivity presents a major opportunity,” the DOT said, citing ongoing engagements with airlines and aviation stakeholders to restore routes and seat capacity.

Despite budget constraints and market-specific challenges, Philippine tourism remained resilient, generating P3.86 trillion in receipts in 2024 and supporting 6.75 million tourism-related jobs nationwide.

“The DoT remains optimistic that improved access, safety measures, and connectivity will drive a stronger rebound of the Chinese market and help lift overall arrival figures moving forward,” the DOT said.