Filipinos are lamenting their nation’s seventh-place regional tourism ranking, pointing fingers at poor infrastructure and inaccessibility
The online uproar began with a widely shared post by content creator Thea Tan, who wrote on social media earlier this month: “The Philippines has what other countries dream of: jaw-dropping beaches, vibrant culture, incredible food, and the warmest locals. So, why are tourists still choosing Thailand, Vietnam, and Bali over us?”
Tan cited figures from the Outbox Company, a Vietnam-based travel intelligence firm, showing that the Philippines attracted just 2.1 million of Southeast Asia’s 48.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year.
While Tan acknowledged recent gains in spending and average length of stay, she said these “small wins don’t hide the bigger truth: the [Philippines] is still not a priority Asean destination”. She described the country as “exhausting” due to inadequate transport infrastructure and access.
