Ministers see integrated ASEAN as tourism boost

Ministers of the 11 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members must unite to promote regional connectivity to boost tourism further within the bloc.

“We have successfully concluded all tourism ministers’ meetings, and we are very encouraged that there was a loud support for regional connectivity. This means that ASEAN will have the chance to have a multi-country collaboration in connectivity,” according to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco.

The Philippines will have the opportunity for expansion in terms of route development, of course, that begins in the gateways, such as in Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Davao, Iloilo.

“We hope to expand that in other cities as well in the ASEAN,” Frasco added in an ambush interview during the final day of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu City.

Frasco said Cebu alone already has 13 additional routes, mostly within the ASEAN Region, while at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, 23 international routes were also added.

More intra-ASEAN flights

“So, what we can expect from our agreements is that there will be even more flights across the intra-ASEAN region,” she said.

Frasco said that in attaining this, it’s inevitable that there will be challenges along the way, particularly in infrastructure projects such as airports.

“But we are just thankful that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is a huge proponent of PPP (public-private-partnership) because this is really allowing our destinations to be elevated in terms of access. The privatization of NAIA strengthened its capacity,” he said.

“From what I know, the Department of Transportation has plans to privatize the Laguindingan Airport, the gateway to Mindanao, as well as Puerto Princesa and Iloilo airports,” she said.

“This is exciting because with improved connectivity, the tourist experience and higher capacities, we will achieve more flights direct to our destinations,” she added.

Frasco’s utterance was among the outcomes of the 29th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, held during the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 in Cebu City.

“The meeting commended ongoing collaboration between the tourism and transport sectors, including joint efforts under the Ad-Hoc Task Force on Tourism and Transport to address connectivity gaps, improve access to emerging destinations, and strengthen joint promotional activities,” she added.