TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the reinstatement of electronic visas (e-visas) for Chinese tourists beginning in November. Frasco said the resumption of the e-visa program would restore accessibility for one of the country’s strongest pre-pandemic tourism markets. “The suspension of the e-visa system in 2023 had a significant and measurable impact on our ability to meet tourism targets, particularly from one of our strongest pre-pandemic markets,” Frasco said. “We had long anticipated this outcome and its lasting impact on international arrivals, which is why the Department of Tourism (DOT) has consistently advocated for the reinstatement of the e-visa system since its suspension,” she said. Calling the move both “necessary and overdue,” Frasco said the relaunch addresses a long-standing gap that has affected the country’s competitiveness in the region for nearly three years. Frasco also thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for heeding the call to revive the e-visa system. “While we do not expect immediate surges in arrivals given the timing of implementation and broader external factors, this policy milestone provides a strong signal to the market that the Philippines is taking steps to improve accessibility,” Frasco said. “It restores confidence, not only among travelers but also among our tourism stakeholders who depend on timely and enabling government action,” she added. As of September, the Philippines has recorded 203,923 arrivals from China, and the DOT hopes the e-visa reinstatement will pave the way for a stronger rebound in the coming year.