New Delhi: The Philippines expects India to be among the top five largest source markets for visitors to the country by 2016 on the back of multiple initiatives, including visa relaxation, to woo tourists from here.Â
Currently India is the 10th largest tourist source market after Germany for the South East Asian island nation.Â
“India will be one of the top 5 largest source markets for us by 2016. At present it is at number 10, but we are determined to change that,” Philippines Tourism Secretary Ramon R Jimenez said.Â
By end 2016, Philippines expects quarter to a million visitors from India to visit the country, he added.Â
“We are taking a number of initiatives for this. Our aim is growth in both inbound and outbound travellers between the two countries. We want more Indians to visit us and more people from Philippines to visit India,” Jimenez Jr said.Â
The steps that are being taken up includes facilitation of travel, as connectivity between the two countries needs to be improved, easing of visa norms, he added.Â
The Secretary also said, “Philippines is exploring the possibility of lifting visa requirements for Indians on an experimental basis for 2015-16.”Â
Generally, Jimenez Jr said travellers to Philippines come by air and stay for around 10 to 11 days per stay with the average spend per person at almost up to $3,000.Â
Philippines Department of Tourism has declared 2015 as ‘Visit the Philippines Year’ with an invitation to experience “It’s more fun in Philippines”.