The Philippines presented its tourism offering for the Turkish market in Istanbul today, highlighting air connectivity, the country’s diverse destinations and the growing interest among Turkish travellers in discovering the archipelago.
The Philippines Department of Tourism showcased the country’s wide-ranging tourism offering in Istanbul this morning at an event that brought together travel industry professionals, airline representatives, partners from the Turkish tourism sector and members of the media. The event aimed to raise awareness of the destination in the Turkish market and create new opportunities for collaboration.
Turkish travel to the Philippines continues to grow
The event comes at a time of positive growth in travel from Türkiye to the Philippines.
Since 2019, the number of Turkish tourists travelling to the Philippines has recovered by 155%, reinforcing the market’s positive trend for the destination.
This momentum has continued in 2026. As of August this year, the Philippines has welcomed 8,534 visitors from Türkiye, compared with 7,842 during the same period in 2025. Year-to-date growth in 2026 stands at 8.82% compared with the same period last year.
These results reflect the growing interest among Turkish travellers in the Philippines and reinforce the Philippines Department of Tourism’s commitment to further developing this market, increasing awareness of the destination and strengthening collaboration with tourism professionals in Türkiye.
The Philippines takes centre stage in Istanbul
The event was attended by Captain Stanley K. Ng, Undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning, led a Department of Tourism (DOT) delegation from Manila that included Azucena C. Pallugna, Director of the Office of Market Development; Warren Palacio of the DOT Routes Office; and Jerome B. Diaz, Tourism Attaché based in London. The event was organized by the Department of Tourism with the support of the Philippine Embassy in Türkiye. Among the distinguished attendees were Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon Jr., Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Türkiye, and Rachel Anne Oronce, Consul of the Philippines in Istanbul.
During the destination presentation, Azucena C. Pallugna introduced some of the archipelago’s leading destinations and experiences, highlighting an offering that combines nature, beaches, cultural heritage, gastronomy, adventure and high-end travel experiences. Attendees were introduced to destinations including Manila, Palawan, Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Siargao and Clark, as well as tourism products designed both for leisure travellers and for specific segments such as family travel, honeymoons, diving, incentive travel and MICE tourism.
Alongside the diversity of its attractions, the Philippines highlighted several advantages that make travel from Türkiye easier, including air connectivity between the two countries and the possibility for Turkish citizens to travel to the Philippines visa-free for tourism stays of up to 30 days, in accordance with current regulations.
The Philippines strengthens its presence in the Turkish market
With more than 7,600 islands, outstanding marine biodiversity, a rich cultural heritage and an expanding tourism offering, the Philippines continues to establish itself as one of Asia’s most diverse destinations for international travellers. Its combination of nature, culture, hospitality, gastronomy and adventure experiences makes the archipelago an increasingly attractive choice for Turkish travellers looking to discover new destinations in the region.
Through this presentation in Istanbul, the Philippines Department of Tourism reaffirms its commitment to the Turkish market and continues its efforts to increase the destination’s visibility, strengthen relationships with the local travel industry and sustain the growth of a market with significant potential for further development.
