Philippines targets Middle Eastern visitors with wellness and medical tourism

• Over 2 million international travelers have visited the Philippines since the start of the year.
• The Department of tourism reported a 120 percent recovery rate from the same period in 2019 before COVID-19.
• The tourism sector is leveraging Arabic-speaking talent to assist in facilitating tours for Middle Eastern travelers.

The Philippine tourism sector is transitioning to promote the country as a medical and wellness destination, broadening its appeal beyond its recreational profile to draw more visitors from the Middle East. The Department of tourism reported last week that over 2 million international travelers have visited the Philippines since the beginning of the year, with receipts totaling $2.7 billion between January and April. This data reflects a 120 percent recovery rate from the same period in 2019 before COVID-19 lockdowns…