As part of a working visit by Tourism Minister, Haim Katz, to Manila, as part of the ministry’s activities to increase tourism from the Philippines, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the tourism ministers to strengthen ties and cooperation between the countries in international organizations, on the issues of marketing, aviation, innovation and digitization. Minister Haim Katz is also expected, among other things, to speak at the annual conference of the local travel agent’s association, hold meetings with journalists, opinion leaders, church leaders and the president of Philippine Airlines (PAL).

Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz: “Upon taking office, I noticed increased traffic from the Philippines, which has proven to be stable even during the war. This is a key country in Asia, local residents see Israel as a must-visit destination, and we intend to focus special efforts on further developing and strengthening tourism ties between the countries”.

Minister of Tourism, Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco: “The Philippines and Israel have a tradition of warm relations, a shared heritage and faith, which are highlighted in cultural and tourism exchanges. We will focus on exchanging knowledge on sustainable tourism and accessible tourism”.

The Philippines ranked fifth in tourist arrivals in 2024, with approximately 40,000 citizens visiting Israel, mainly for religious reasons. The Ministry of Tourism, through its local bureau in Manila, is conducting a variety of marketing activities, including road fairs, seminars for agents, and collaborations with influencers and the media. The Christian Jubilee Year of 2025 marks a unique opportunity to attract the Christian community to Israel, where the papal invocation can be received, and will be the focus of activity in the Philippines in the coming year.

Israel and the Philippines have a tourism agreement dating back to 1987. The memorandum of understanding is the basis for a new agreement that will be negotiated soon and will expand the areas of joint activity.