How shared Asean visa could help Philippines find its travel feet

A recent ASEAN tourism meeting in the Philippines addressed how a shared visa and improved digital connectivity could promote more balanced tourism growth across the region. Tourism leaders from ASEAN, along with representatives from Japan, China, and South Korea, discussed strategies to boost visitor numbers, particularly for countries like the Philippines that are lagging behind. The meeting highlighted the potential of interconnected tourism corridors by 2030 to showcase natural destinations and enhance ASEAN's competitiveness. While challenges exist due to competition among member states, an integrated visa system was identified as a key tool for encouraging multi-country travel itineraries and presenting ASEAN as a unified destination. The goal is to improve visitor experiences, destination competitiveness, and the overall resilience of tourism-related businesses.