Good connectivity drives tourist influx

The Philippines will have to be ready for the projected influx of Indian tourists as direct flights connecting both countries are increasing.

This is the outlook made by economist Wick Veloso as he noted an upward movement of Indian tourists considering the Philippines as their get-away destination.

"India looks forward to bringing in more tourists to the Philippines as flights between the two countries improve," said Veloso, president and chief executive officer of HSBCPhilippines.

Prior to Veloso's upbeat forecast of Indian tourists visiting the Philippines, Department of Tourism (DOT) already announced its plan to create extensive promotional campaigns in India.

From January to October 2017, arrivals from India jumped by some 20.3 percent to 88,832, making it the second-fastest growing market after China.

In 2016, DOT held promotional road shows in Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

According to DOT, the four Indian cities are important feeder markets, hence, the department is working on strengthening the country’s relations with local travel partners to assure sustainable growth.

An Indian tourist, on the average spends at least $1,000 in the Philippines.

Cebu on the other hand, has been reporting an improving arrival figures from India.

Cebu Alliance of Tour Operator Specialists (CATOS) past president Edilberto Mendoza Jr., Cebu has been prepared to accommodate this type of foreign visitors.

The growing number of Indian restaurants in Cebu is also among the few indications of a growing population of Indian tourists, who are considering Cebu as its leisure, vacation and even business destination.

Aside from their sensitive choices of food, Indian tourists are also known to splurge in shopping, Mendoza added Cebu catches the attention of this particular nationality because the province seems to have all that they are looking for in a destination.

The pristine beaches, worldclass resort accommodations, among others, are also important factors to appeal to this particular nationality.

Likewise, CATOS president Alice Queblatin said that traveling-wealthy Indians are already starting to come to Cebu, stressing "this market is very interesting."

Aside from attractive wedding packages in Cebu, which is a major come-on for Indians, Queblatin confirmed that shopping and other soft adventure packages, and islandbeach sites thrill Indian tourists.

Part of DOT’s marketing strategy to is “to make the Indian tourists stay longer on the Philippines by developing new products that would meet their needs," said DOT undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon Jr. in an earlier interview.