The Philippines and Thailand have signed a groundbreaking five-year agreement to boost their tourism sectors and strengthen bilateral ties. The two parties finalized the deal on January 19, 2025, during a meeting in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong led the signing ceremony.
Decades of Cooperation
The agreement, which will run from 2025 to 2030, focuses on enhancing tourism cooperation between the two Southeast Asian nations. The new pact builds upon decades of collaboration between the Philippines and Thailand. The original Agreement on Cooperation on Tourism was signed on March 24, 1993, in Manila.
Later, in 2017, the countries launched an implementing program that ran until 2022, showcasing successful tourism partnerships. This latest deal marks another milestone in their partnership.
Best of the Philippines and Thailand
Thailand, popular for its vibrant festivals and wellness offerings, serves as a model for attracting diverse travelers. In return, Thailand hopes to benefit from the Philippines’ strengths in hospitality, dive tourism, and English language programs.
“In return, Thailand stands to gain from the Philippine expertise in hospitality, where we have earned a reputation for excellence,” said Frasco.
“Additionally, the Philippines is a premier destination for dive tourism —home to some of the world’s biodiverse marine ecosystems— and for English language tourism, where our world-class language schools attract students from all over the globe,” she remarked.
Philippines and Thailand: Simplifying Travel
Moreover, Frasco emphasized the opportunity to capitalize on Thailand’s robust tourism arrivals and internationally recognized cultural heritage.
“For the Philippines, this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to tap into Thailand’s remarkable success in attracting visitors, particularly in areas such as cultural tourism and medical tourism,” she noted.
“We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our tourism offerings.”
Importantly, both countries are exploring ways to simplify travel between their destinations. Looking ahead, this partnership is expected to contribute significantly to economic growth and cultural exchange.
Tourism plays a vital role in both countries’ economies, creating jobs and generating income for local communities. By working together, the Philippines and Thailand aim to position themselves as premier destinations in the global tourism market.
Eyes on Malaysia
The Philippines is also setting its eyes on inking a similar deal with Malaysia. Frasco had a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Dato Sri Tiong King Sing.
“We are proximate in our locations, therefore providing enormous opportunities for increased tourism flows,” Frasco noted, about Philippines and Malaysia. “We seek to exchange information and best practices with Malaysia, especially on the aspects of product and market development and tourism promotions.”
Additionally, the agreement will promote sustainable tourism, with eco-friendly and socially sustainable approaches.
For instance, the Philippines has developed products and services that are Halal-friendly, catering to Muslim travelers.
“Our President has accelerated public-private partnerships in the country, invested heavily in airport tourism infrastructure, and passed legislation to make tourism investments more attractive as far as corporate income recovery is concerned,” she added.
Photo: Facebook/Department of Tourism – Philippines
