Due to POGO issues, safety image damaged, visa tightening, and sharp decrease in tourists!

The number of Chinese and Korean tourists continues to decline, becoming a key factor in the downturn of the Philippine tourism industry. Industry analysis points out that the damaged regional security image, tightened visa policies, slow recovery of international flights, and frequent coverage of transnational crimes and POGO (offshore gaming) issues in the Philippines in recent years have all impacted tourist confidence.

The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) also recently announced that it will no longer approve any new POGO businesses in the Freeport area, highlighting the government's efforts to tighten regulation of loopholes related to foreign workers and the gaming industry.

Tourism, as one of the main pillars of revenue and employment in the Philippines, is facing industry concerns due to this downward trend. Small and medium-sized tourism companies, tour guides, the hospitality industry, and transportation services are facing the dual pressures of reduced orders and declining revenue.

The Philippine Department of Tourism has stated that it has begun to adjust its response strategies and will increase overseas publicity efforts in the coming months, enhance the national image, and collaborate with airlines to optimize flight schedules, actively seeking to attract more inbound tourists in an effort to reverse the current downturn and rejuvenate market confidence.