Latest news with #Frasco
GMA Network
24-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Duke Frasco denies eyeing House Speakership
House Deputy Speaker and Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco on Tuesday denied reports that he is seeking to run for Speaker of the House of Representatives, a post currently held by Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. 'Contrary to recent reports, I have not made any decision-much less offered myself-for the position of Speaker of the House in the 20th Congress,' Frasco said. Frasco was earlier kicked out of the National Unity Party (NUP) after he refused to sign a manifesto of support for Romualdez. On Tuesday, Frasco said he will be supporting another candidate for Speaker because the House 'must be a united and proactive partner in delivering meaningful, lasting change for the Filipino people.' 'If the election for Speaker were held today, my support would go to either Congressman Toby Tiangco [of Navotas] or Albee Benitez [of Negros Occidental],' Frasco said. At the same time, Frasco stressed that he remains supportive of the Marcos administration and contributing to its broader goals of national unity and development. "My commitment to the President's vision remains firm,' he added. Frasco, husband of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, was last seen in public with President Marcos in Osaka, Japan for the World Expo. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
The Star
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Philippines backs Asean-wide visa, eyes tourism boost from unified entry
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (left) serves as one of the speakers during the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday (May 15, 2025). During the forum, Frasco expressed support for the proposed creation of a unified ASEAN visa, inspired by the European Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint visa. - Photo: DOT MANILA, May 18 (Bernama-PNA) The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed strong support for the creation of a unified Asean visa, saying it could help position the region as a single, powerhouse tourism destination. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco made the statement during the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand last Thursday, where she served as one of the key speakers. The proposal, inspired by the European Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council's joint visa, is gaining traction among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). "The Asean tagline is 'A destination for every dream.' And the Asean visa certainly is part of that dream,' Frasco said, as quoted in a DOT news release on Sunday (May 18). "To be able to unify the Asean as a destination... is one that is aspirational for us in the Philippines.' She bared that there's "similar interest' from other Southeast Asian nations about the unified visa system. "We are very hopeful that the subject matter will again come up as the Philippines hosts the Asean in 2026,' she said. The Tourism chief underscored the potential of enhanced regional cooperation despite existing competition among Asean countries. "Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier in a sense that Asean coming together to work as a force for good for the world would really benefit all of our countries,' she said. She cited the Philippines' partnership with Thailand as an example, pointing to the implementation of their "Two Countries, One Destination' campaign. Frasco also highlighted the Philippines' cultural and culinary diversity as key selling points to Asean tourists. "What we bring to the table... is a story-a story of a proud people that is the result of generations of influence,' she said. "You arrive in the Philippines as a guest, but you leave as family.' - Bernama-PNA
GMA Network
18-05-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DOT seeks establishment of ASEAN visa
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed interest in the possible establishment of a visa system for member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). During the SKIFT Asia Forum 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand last Thursday, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the proposal to have an ASEAN visa similar to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) visa in the Middle East and the Schengen visa in Europe, is aligned with the ASEAN tourism tagline: 'A destination for every dream.' '[T]he ASEAN visa certainly is part of that dream. To be able to unify the ASEAN as a destination in terms of the strength of its natural assets, its unparalleled warmth and hospitality as a people, and as a culture, and in terms of the quality of experiences that we are able to offer, is one that is aspirational for us in the Philippines,' Frasco said. 'And as a Minister of Tourism, it is a proposition that I have tried to make at every opportunity. I am glad to hear similar interest from our fellow ASEAN nations, and we are very hopeful that the subject matter will again come up as the Philippines hosts the ASEAN in 2026,' she added. \ Frasco also underscored the importance of regional unity while maintaining a healthy competition with fellow Southeast Asian countries. 'Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier in a sense that ASEAN coming together to work as a force for good for the world would really benefit all of our countries,' she said. President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. previously signed an administrative order stating that it was agreed in September 2023 by the regional bloc that the Philippines will be the chairman of the ASEAN and hold its summit meetings in 2026. Frasco also acknowledged a decline in Chinese visitor arrivals to the Philippines in recent years 'due to various factors.' Despite this, she said that the DOT has learned to attract other potential sources of tourism for the country. 'The lesson that we learned from that is to really be able to diversify our dependency into other markets as well,' the DOT chief said. "And so now, we are targeting markets such as the Middle East and the GCC, as well as India, and of course, to strengthen further our source markets from South Korea, Japan, the United States, as well as Europe,' she added. —Giselle Ombay/RF, GMA Integrated News
Skift
15-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
Philippines Wants Long-Term Travelers – Digital Nomads and Gulf Expats
The Philippines had relied on the Chinese market, but is now focused on diversifying its source markets. The Philippines is looking to attract long-term travelers. One solution: digital nomad visas. In April, the Filipino government signed an executive order for the development of the digital nomad visa program. The plan is to woo quality travelers who respect sustainability efforts and benefit the country through high tourism spending and repeat visits, said Christina Garcia Frasco, Tourism Secretary of the Republic of the Philippines at the Skift Asia Forum. Several Asian nations are getting into this market, including Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. According to Frasco, the Philippines has an advantage due to the widespread use of English and easy access to cities and beaches. The tourism department has partnered with the department of information and communications technology to improve Wi-Fi, and they have covered more than 90 destinations across the country. Frasco said the country is working with regional offices and local governments to ensure tourist safety is a top priority. The upcoming digital nomad visa will allow travelers to remain in the country for a year, but hopes to make longer stays possible. On Direct Connectivity The Filipino government is working on a public-private partnership model to develop airports and expand connectivity. Frasco said, 'We have made very conscious efforts to increase direct connectivity from all over the world, including flights from Paris to Manila and from Canada to the Philippines.' She added that she is hopeful of direct flights between India and the Philippines 'very soon.' Last month, the country's flag carrier Philippine Airlines also agreed to consider expanding their existing partnership to enter into reciprocal code sharing agreements on flights between the Philippines and Dubai, and on select routes beyond the gateways of each partner airline. The country is also working on expanding its direct connectivity to Australia, she said. On Key Markets and Trends In 2024, the Philippines recorded its highest-ever tourism receipts at about $13 billion. This was 26% above pre-Covid levels. However, the country also went through a 'devastating loss' in tourist arrivals from the Chinese market. It targeted 2 million tourists from China, but only 300,000 came. 'The lesson that we learned from that is to really diversify our dependency into other markets as well,' Frasco said. The Philippines is now targeting markets such as the Middle East, the Gulf nations, and India. It is also looking to strengthen its source markets in South Korea, Japan, the U.S., and Europe. The country has seen an average of 500-800% growth in tourist arrivals from the Middle East and Gulf countries, especially due to a strong expat population. To cater to these tourists, the Philippines is also pushing to expand Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism portfolio. The department of tourism has been working on driving accommodations and resorts to be more Muslim-friendly, and it has collaborated with the department of trade and hotel and restaurant associations to increase the number of Halal offerings. Since the beginning of the year, the country has also been recording an average of 22% month-on-month growth in the number of tourists from Australia. Moreover, the country's top source market of South Korea continues to grow soundly. On ASEAN Visa For a long time, Southeast Asian nations have been discussing the possibility of an ASEAN visa along the lines of Schengen visa and the proposed Unified GCC Visa for Gulf nations. Frasco expressed her hope that it will again come up as a point of deliberation next year among the ASEAN block countries. 'Competition is always very healthy, but collaboration is healthier,' she said, when talking about the possible impact of the ASEAN visa. The Philippines and Thailand have already signed a memorandum for their 'Two Countries, One Destination' effort.
