Take a look at our Market of the Month: the Philippines!

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Market of the Month: Philippines

Filipinos made almost 310,000 trips to the United States in 2018, a 0.8 percent increase from the previous year based on data from National Tourism and Travel Organization. It is the sixth-highest in number of visits from Asia. 

Economic growth is creating an even more significant Filipino middle class with disposable cash and desire to spend money on leisure, travel, and entertainment abroad. 

check out our data

U.S. - Filipino Air Travel

In response to growing demand from Filipino travelers, local carrier Philippine Airlines recently launched direct flights to New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Guam.

A Filipino low-cost carrier, Cebu Pacific, also flies daily to Guam.

U.S. carriers Delta, United, and American Airlines fly directly from Manila to U.S. destinations.


Popular Destinations

Filipino travelers enjoy outlet shops, sight-seeing, dining out, and visiting friends and family based in the U.S.

The young population is interested in discovering new sight destinations and adventure trails, visiting parks and museums, and witnessing sites featured in American movies and Netflix shows.

There has been an increase in business trips connected with some additional days of sightseeing. Shopping trips to New York are also gaining in popularity. New York and Florida are the most visited places in the United States, followed by California and the national parks. Learn more...


Marketing Your Destination!

The Philippines is the social media capital of the world, and maximizing exposure through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram would be highly strategic. Filipinos can spend 10 hours using social media, especially during heavy traffic while in transit. Facebook data usage is also free, allowing for many businesses to opt to only have Facebook pages as opposed to real websites. Communication also occurs via Facebook chat.

Partnering with a local agent or marketing firm is the key for U.S. tourism providers to expand popularity in the Philippines. These local partners will promote and serve as marketing and sales representatives for U.S. partners to Filipino consumers.

Popular Seasons of Travel

  • Month of April to June and October to December are peak periods of travel to the U.S.
  • The academic year ends in March, and starts again in April. 
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Booking Methods

Filipino internet-savvy tourists, especially young travelers, are the most frequent users of online bookings, preferring quick and easy bookings at inexpensive costs. Online booking has become common as Filipino travelers like discounts and special rates.

Filipino travelers usually catch the seasons where airlines sell discounted tickets.

Online sites, airlines, malls, and banks offer travel packages and compete directly with local agents for market share. This trend started in 2007 when a local Philippine carrier began offering budget fares for domestic and international destinations.

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Meet the Travel & Tourism Specialist at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philappines

Photo of John Giray

An avid traveler and social media user himself, John Giray promotes the United States to the Filipino audience as travel, study, and investment destination. He promotes U.S. tourism providers such as destinations, hotels, and attractions and connects such entities to tourism stakeholders in the Philippines. He frequently presents on U.S. tourism attractions in the United States to tourism associations in the Philippines and shares insights on new destinations through quarterly briefs. 

Before joining the U.S. Commercial Service, John was with the Philippine Navy of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

John has a degree in international relations and participated in an ASEAN Centre funded student exchange program at Phranakhon Rajabhat University in Thailand. John has recently completed his academic requirements from De La Salle University with an MBA, where he is also a graduate scholar. Under this program, John specialized in Information Management and Organizational Development.

He also has served as a Youth Ambassador for an Australian aid-funded program, National Youth Ambassadors Program for Peace. John is a recipient of the Junior Chamber International Philippines World Federation of Young Leaders and Entrepreneurs Award. John is an Eagle Scout and loves to travel, volunteer, and scout.

Email: John.Giray@trade.gov



Join the Commercial Service at Visit USA 2020 in Brazil

The U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil are pleased to announce the dates for 2020’s VISIT USA Show, to be held in Porto Alegre (March 25), in Ribeirão Preto (March 27) and in São Paulo (March 30, 2020).  The Visit USA Show  exhibitors will be able to talk directly with about 1,000 travel agents that sell or want to start selling U.S. travel products and destinations.

Outbound tourism from Brazil to the United States offers great potential.  Brazil is 7th in number of visitors to the United States. In 2018, over 2 million Brazilians traveled to the U.S.  This is a 16% increase over 2017.  Brazilian travelers spent over $7.5 Billion on travel and travel related services in 2018.  

During each of the stops, destinations and companies participation will have the opportunity to have a table for meetings, and an option for 5 or 15 minute presentations during the event. Participants can elect to participate in all three stops, or only one stop.  For more information, and a cost breakdown for your individual requirements, please contact Jussara Haddad


Meet our Commercial Specialists at IPW

Our Commercial Specialists from over 25 markets will be attending IPW.  As an exhibitor, you can schedule meetings with our staff closer to home!  Many of the Commercial Specialists are the IAC Chairs for IPW and are great points of contact for buyers and media in their respective markets.  Commercial Specialists from the following markets are planning to attend: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Singapore, Sweden, Ukraine and United Kingdom. For more information about IPW or to register as an exhibitor for at IPW please visit IPW.com.  If you have questions about the Commercial Specialists or our presence at IPW, please contact Jennifer Loffredo.


Virtual Travel & Tourism Fairs

Connecting U.S. Tourism Destinations with Tour Operators and Travel Agents

Virtual Travel & Tourism Fair will promote both U.S. destinations and attractions as well as all the services inherent to tourism

Details:

  • Cost per company is approximately $850, it depends upon the market.
  • VTFs are limited to six destinations/ companies.
  • Participation will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis; however destinations/companies will be vetted to ensure a good fit for the specific country selected.
  • VTFs last 90 minutes
  • Dial-in and log-in from your home or office
  • Send your marketing materials in advance to our offices for distribution to Tour Operators, Travel Agents and Media
  • Prior to the VTF, registered destinations will have an opportunity to participate in a country briefing, plus get tips on how to best prepare for your presentation

Upcoming Virtual tourism fairs:

Each Tourism Fair is handled differently in each market.  In India, the attendees will be accessing the Virtual Tourism Fair remotely via the web.  In Portugal, a reception will be held with Tour Operators, Travel Agents and Media invited to attend.

For questions or more information, please contact Jennifer Loffredo at Jennifer.Loffredo@trade.gov.


Trade Events

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