The Philippines and Thailand have signed a five-year tourism cooperation agreement aimed at promoting joint development in tourism and the hotel industry.
This agreement is seen as a milestone, with the goal of strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector and further promoting cross-border exchanges. The signing of this agreement also suggests that Thailand may push forward with the legalization of casinos, a move that could reshape the tourism landscape in Thailand.
As a leader in the gaming industry in the region, the Philippines has been at the forefront of offering unrestricted gaming opportunities, attracting a large number of local and foreign tourists. The Philippines sees this cooperation not only as an opportunity to share expertise but also to learn from Thailand's successful experiences in cultural and medical tourism.
Philippine Tourism Minister Cristina Garcia Frasco stated, "This cooperation provides us with an exciting opportunity to fully leverage Thailand's successful experiences in attracting tourists." She also noted that in return, Thailand will benefit from the Philippines' expertise in the hotel industry, which has earned an excellent international reputation.
Thai Tourism Minister Sorawong Thienthong expressed optimism about the agreement and particularly emphasized the initiative of knowledge sharing.
He said, "We look forward to cooperating with the Philippines." He further mentioned that the two sides will deepen cooperation through professional training, joint marketing, and promoting sustainable tourism practices.
According to the agreement, this cooperation will cover development plans from 2025 to 2030, based on the bilateral framework established in 1993, including tourism product development, exchange programs, and promotion of cultural heritage.
Last year, the Philippines welcomed 5.44 million foreign tourists, an increase of 8.7%, although it did not reach the target of 7.7 million. Thailand's tourist numbers were slightly below this figure, at 45,896.
Meanwhile, Thailand's tourism industry has seen significant growth, with over 35 million visitors generating 1.8 trillion Thai Baht (approximately 52.9 billion USD) in revenue, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
With increasing expectations for the future development of Thailand's tourism industry, more speculation suggests that Thailand will build its first casino resort by 2030. The signing of this agreement is also seen as a potentially strategic cooperation that could redefine the tourism landscape in Southeast Asia.
In addition, both countries are increasing their investment in infrastructure. The Philippines plans to spend 7.7 billion pesos to upgrade airports, and Cebu Pacific has resumed international flights and launched new domestic routes from Davao in the southern Philippines, including a route to Bangkok that opened last August. These initiatives mark new development opportunities for tourism cooperation between the two countries in the coming years.
