Philippines, Emirates Partner to Boost Tourism with PAL
The collaboration is expected to yield significant benefits for the Philippine tourism industry, with increased visitor traffic and revenue growth anticipated in the coming years. As the partnership continues to evolve, it is likely to have a positive impact on the country's economy and cement its position as a premier tourist destination.
The Philippine Department of Tourism and Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote the Philippines as a top tourist destination, aiming to boost visitor traffic and strengthen the country's tourism sector through joint marketing initiatives and expanded flight routes.
Under the agreement, the DOT and Emirates will co-promote each other's projects and programs, drive growth of arrivals of travelers in the country, and work together to develop and promote tourism in the Philippines. This partnership is expected to create a strategic framework for joint marketing and advertising initiatives, further solidifying the Philippines' position as a premier tourist destination.
The Philippines has seen a significant increase in tourist arrivals since reopening its borders in 2022, with revenues from UAE tourists recovering by as much as 536.6% in 2024. This growth is anticipated to continue with the enhanced partnership between Emirates and Philippine Airlines, which includes exploring an enhanced cargo partnership to boost their airfreight business.
Emirates and Philippine Airlines are discussing expanding their existing cargo interline partnership, exchanging best practices in ground handling, catering, maintenance, and technical training, and organizing joint familiarization trips. A reciprocal code-sharing agreement on flights between the Philippines and Dubai, and on select routes beyond their gateways, is also being considered.
This move is part of Emirates SkyCargo's efforts to strengthen its global network through partnerships, having recently signed MoUs with Teleport and Astral Aviation. The partnership between the Philippines and Emirates is poised to drive growth in the tourism sector, further establishing the country as a top destination for travelers from the Middle East and Europe.