Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has endorsed a proposal to introduce “nomad visas” to attracts long-stay foreign visitors to the country.
According to a report of the Philippine News Agency, the Private Sector Advisory Council for Tourism (PSAC-Tourism) recommended the issuance of an executive order (EO) to expedite the implementation of these visas without initial tax incentives, which could be incorporated following the passage of related legislation.
Lucio Tan III, Vice Chairperson and Chief Operating Officer of LT Group, emphasised the urgency of introducing nomad visas to attract long-term tourists, noting that other countries in the region, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, are already benefiting from similar initiatives.
Pilot country
Marcos has tasked the Office of the Executive Secretary with drafting the EO and selecting a pilot country for the nomad visa initiative. This move is seen as an interim solution to boost the tourism sector while broader legislative measures are being considered.
Last year, the Southeast Asian country set a target of 7.7 million international visitor arrivals. In 2023, foreign tourists made up 91.9 percent of the 5,069,752 arrivals, presenting a lucrative opportunity for B2B iGaming platforms to customise their services to meet the varied tastes of international visitors.
Strengthening the tourism workforce
Moreover, PSAC-Tourism has expressed optimism about the potential growth of the tourism sector under the current administration’s initiatives. The council emphasised the importance of supporting industry-specific training programs to equip individuals with the skills necessary for immediate employment in tourism-related fields.
Joji Gotianun Yap, President and Chief Executive Officer of Filinvest Development Corporation, pointed out that a significant portion of the tourism workforce holds certifications from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). She advocated for increasing these certifications, with the private sector identifying the required skills.
Marcos also highlighted the role of industry guidance in shaping these training efforts, stressing the need for short-term courses that enable quick job placement.
Enhancing tourism and hospitality education
Meanwhile, J. Prospero de Vera III, Chair of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), discussed the strategic approach to tourism and hospitality education. He cited numerous institutions offering four-year degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management and emphasised the integration of TESDA certifications into these programs.
De Vera explained that allowing top schools to run these programs ensures quality and meets current needs. TESDA certifications can now be credited towards these degrees, providing students with a flexible pathway.
PSAC-Tourism is confident that these combined efforts will enhance the Philippines’ reputation as a premier tourist destination, improve the quality of its tourism workforce, and stimulate economic growth.
Streamlined e-visa processing for Indian nationals
In a related development, Marcos has directed government agencies to streamline the e-visa processing for Indian nationals, aiming to boost tourism from one of the Philippines’ significant source markets. The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed this directive in a statement dated July 4.
The DOT highlighted that efficient e-visa processing for Indian visitors will simplify entry procedures and create a more welcoming environment. This initiative is expected to attract more visitors from India and strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the two nations.
The DOT pledged to collaborate closely with all stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of this initiative and called on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to actively drive these e-visa reforms.
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