Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) delegation led by Chairperson and Resident Representative Atty. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil in a courtesy visit held at the DOT Office on February 18, 2025. The meeting served as a platform to discuss strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan.

During the discussions, both parties underscored their commitment to strengthening tourism exchanges. Meanwhile, Secretary Frasco shared the DOT’s key initiatives as part of its goal for the Philippines to be a tourism powerhouse in Asia. She expressed appreciation for MECO’s continued support in fostering people-to-people ties and facilitating tourism programs that will benefit both countries.

Taiwan remains one of the Philippines’ top source markets, ranking seventh in visitor arrivals in 2024 with 213,833 Taiwanese tourists recorded. With the upcoming launch of the Taipei-Bohol direct flight in April 2025 and Taiwan’s extension of its visa-free policy for Filipino travelers until July 2025, the DOT anticipates a further boost in tourism exchanges between the two destinations.

Other matters discussed included joint tourism marketing campaigns and the promotion of niche tourism segments such as golf tourism and dive tourism, among others. The meeting also explored the possibility of renewing and updating the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation between MECO and the DOT to further solidify bilateral tourism collaboration.

Secretary Frasco emphasized the vital role of MECO in enhancing tourism and economic exchanges between the Philippines and Taiwan. She highlighted the increasing number of Taiwanese visitors and the growing interest in Philippine tourism products, expressing optimism about deepening the partnership and fostering greater connectivity between the two countries.

Similarly, MECO Chairperson Garafil conveyed MECO’s dedication to advancing tourism cooperation and ensuring that Taiwan remains a key source market for Philippine tourism considering the proximity of Taiwan to the Philippines and the vast potentials of the Taiwanese travel market. She reiterated the importance of collaborative efforts in marketing, policy support, and enhanced connectivity to further position the Philippines as a top destination for Taiwanese travelers.

The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to enhancing tourism collaboration,  and developing policies that will facilitate seamless travel and destination opportunities between the Philippines and Taiwan.

Together with Chairperson Garafil at the meeting were Director Corazon Padiernos and Office Manager and Assistant Corporate Secretary Angeli Joyce Barafon.

With Secretary Frasco to welcome the MECO team were Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao; Assistant Secretaries Judilyn Quiachon and Czarina Zara-Loyola; and, Directors Azucena C. Pallugna and Lyle Fernando Uy.

Department of Tourism - Philippines (Facebook)

19 Feb. 2025 

DOT and MECO explore strengthened Tourism Cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan