Why would Filipinos holiday at home if abroad is cheaper?

The Philippine Department of Tourism has launched a new campaign, "Discover More to Love," aimed at boosting domestic travel. This initiative offers discounted hotel, airline, and package bundles. The campaign comes at a time when domestic airfares are perceived as prohibitively expensive, with a viral example showing a Manila to Batanes flight costing 27,000 pesos (US$440), a price comparable to international travel to destinations like Taipei or Hanoi. This disconnect between the cost of domestic travel and the government's efforts to promote it highlights a significant challenge for the tourism sector. The campaign seeks to encourage Filipinos to explore their own country by making domestic travel more affordable.