MUMBAI/NEW DELHI – The Philippines is raring to welcome an ever-rising number of Indians to its shores, as its recent tourism promotion pitch across India received an overwhelming response from travel industry stakeholders, buyers and prospective travelers alike.

Led by Director Ramon Julian De Veyra, Jr.  of the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), the Philippine team took part in this year’s edition of the Mumbai-based Outbound Travel Mart (OTM 2025) from 30 January until 01 February, before embarking on a four-city roadshow.

Regarded as one of India’s largest tourism-related expos, OTM distinguishes itself with its focus on outbound tourism, a factor that makes it attractive to countries such as the Philippines. OTM 2025 featured 2,100-plus exhibitors, including the tourism promotion bodies of over 80 countries and 30 Indian states and union territories. Attendance was estimated at over 40,000 qualified travel industry buyers.

For this year’s OTM, the Philippines’ promotion revolved its vaunted “Sun and Beach” attractions, a major enticement for many Indian travelers. The 110-square-meter Philippine booth was abuzz with activity as TPB officials and Philippine airport representatives and travel industry players attended to inquiries and partnership proposals, and racked up sales leads.

Following the OTM, the TPB-led delegation undertook a promotion roadshow that began in Mumbai (February 3) and later took them to New Delhi (February 4), Chennai (February 6) and Bengaluru (February 7).

Lending full support were the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and its network of Honorary Consulates General across India. 

Philippine Ambassador Josel F. Ignacio, with Economic Officer Melissa Anne M. Telan and Attaché Rachelle C. Yumo, graced the New Delhi-leg of the Roadshow at the Suurya Hotel, which saw a healthy attendance of Indian buyers.

“The stars have aligned and conditions are ripe for a new era of Philippines-India collaboration and growth in mutual tourism”, declared the Ambassador as he addressed the gathering.

He briefed the audience on streamlined visa access through the Philippine e-Visa and the imminent revival of direct flights between the two countries, to the cheers of attendees.

The Mumbai leg was attended by Philippine Honorary Consulate (Mumbai) represented by Consul Retnasamy Swaminathan and Vice Consul Subramainan Krishnamoorthy, while the Chennai and Bengaluru stops were supported by the Philippine Honorary Consulate General in Chennai represented by Consul B. Narendran.

The Embassy and the TPB agreed to work towards sustaining and further intensifying the Philippines’ tourism promotion activities for the Indian market. END