PH to host first ASEAN tourism ministers meeting in Cebu, pushes unified visa

Metro Manila, Philippines - The Philippines is set to take the spotlight in tourism diplomacy as it hosts the first ministerial-level ASEAN tourism meetings in Cebu in January 2026 - marking a milestone in the country’s leadership within Southeast Asia’s growing travel industry.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco confirmed that preparations are already underway for the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which will bring together tourism ministers, delegates, and industry leaders from the ten-member bloc and dialogue partners.

“We are very excited that the very first ASEAN meetings will be about tourism,” Frasco said.

“The DOT is a member of the national organizing committee and is leading the preparations for events, cultural programs, and key ministerial meetings. We are already coordinating closely with local stakeholders in Cebu,” she said.

The 2026 forum will serve as a platform to showcase the country’s tourism offerings, hospitality, and cultural heritage while advancing important regional initiatives, foremost of which is the launch of a unified ASEAN visa, which the Philippines actively supports.

“We continue to advocate for a liberalized visa regime in the region. A unified ASEAN visa will help us compete globally, attract more long-haul travelers, and stimulate economic growth across member nations,” Frasco noted.

The ASEAN visa, long discussed but never fully implemented, is aimed at allowing travelers to move freely across participating bloc members on a single visa, similar to Europe’s Schengen.