Where have all the travelers gone?
Of course, it is understandable that some families would rather postpone a holiday than stretch an already overly stretched budget.
Undas is over, and one thing that caught our attention was the relatively quieter scene at some of the country’s major gateways. I’m talking about ports and airports that didn’t seem as crowded as they used to be during the annual holiday break, when traveling came almost automatically to many Filipinos.
So, where have all the travelers gone?
Perhaps some just opted to stay home. Rested from the exhaustion of having to fight every day to survive. Maybe they just lit a candle at church or at home to save money. Perhaps others postponed their trip.
The truth is, traveling has become increasingly expensive, and it takes serious budgeting skills to afford a well-deserved vacay during the holidays. Not to mention the everyday costs of living, transportation, gasoline and other expenses. Of course, it is understandable that some families would rather postpone a holiday than stretch an already overly stretched budget.
Well, first, it is no secret that Filipinos are trying to survive in this economy where P1,000 feels like P100, just enough to fill one plastic bag at the supermarket. Sometimes we can’t help but wonder: Are we spending too much, or is it becoming more suffocating to buy just our basic needs?
Well, your answer is as good as mine. I believe everyone is equally affected because we are in the same boat. You can see businesses closing online and workers getting laid off, food prices going up, farmers struggling and water and electric bills rising.
Oh no, don’t get me started with those charges. Welcome to the new normal. Doesn’t it feel like the pandemic all over again, when we were constrained and limited in our movements?
In fact, when you go online, you can see posts ranting about how traveling abroad, particularly to some other Asian countries like Vietnam, can be more affordable than going around our own country.
It is very sad to think some Filipinos find it more practical to spend a holiday overseas instead of exploring our own country, our rich cultural heritage, our world-class beaches. Visiting local destinations should be affordable for any Filipino.
Recent Undas figures offer a glimpse into the changing tourism and economic landscape.
Based on the Philippine Ports Authority’s (PPA) initial monitoring, passenger traffic at its managed ports reached 1.36 million from 27 October to 2 November, lower than the 1.62 million passengers recorded in the same period last year.
The decline was particularly noticeable in some traditionally busy ports like Panay/Guimaras, which recorded the highest passenger volume at 244,331, down about 25 percent from 326,440 in 2025.
The newly upgraded Batangas Port, meanwhile, saw a more striking drop: during peak seasons, its daily passenger traffic typically ranged from 17,000 to 21,000, yet on 31 October, only 7,000 to 8,000 passengers were recorded, per PPA general manager Jay Santiago.
The GM attributed the lower numbers to several possible factors, including the shorter Undas break and an estimated 10 to 15 percent increase in passenger fares. He also noted that some travelers may have postponed their trips to take advantage of the longer holiday break from 14 to 18 November, coinciding with the ASEAN Summit.
In other words, fewer passengers do not necessarily mean Filipinos have lost their appetite for travel. Sometimes, the calendar, the cost and the family budget don’t align, so priorities come first.
The PPA has relaunched its PPAsyal Tayo campaign, encouraging the public to explore local destinations through the seaports and support the domestic economy. It is a timely reminder that our ports are not merely transit points; they are gateways that connect people to beautiful destinations and businesses to markets, among other opportunities.
To ease passenger expenses, the PPA distributed free meals during Undas and temporarily waived terminal fees at the newly opened Port of Lucena passenger terminal building until 31 December.
These may seem like small gestures, but every peso saved matters to a family trying to make its travel budget work. As GM Santiago emphasizes, preparation is essential to ensuring passenger comfort and convenience, regardless of traveler volume.
Ultimately, the story of Undas 2026 is not simply about fewer people at the ports. It also reflects the economic realities shaping how Filipinos spend their holidays, where they go, and whether they can afford to go at all.
After all, travel should not be an expensive and painful experience but an opportunity to discover the beauty of our country, connect with family and new people, and get a breather from exhausting everyday life.
So where have all the travelers gone? Perhaps they haven’t disappeared; they are simply waiting for the right time and a little more room in their budgets. And when that time comes, we hope our tourist destinations will be ready to welcome them.