Israel & Philippines strengthen tourism ties by signing MoU

This step is expected to significantly facilitate travel for Filipino tourists to Israel and strengthen economic and tourism ties between the two nations.

As part of Minister of Tourism Haim Katz’s working visit to Manila, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed to strengthen ties and cooperation between Israel and the Philippines. The agreement, signed with the Philippines’ Secretary of Tourism, Christina Garcia Frasco, focuses on areas such as marketing, aviation, innovation, and digitization, alongside collaboration in international organizations.

As part of the minister’s visit, a meeting was held with the President and CEO of Philippine Airlines (PAL) to discuss the renewal of a direct flight route between Manila and Tel Aviv. The PAL President expressed readiness to proceed, highlighting that the airline is preparing to launch the route in the second half of 2025.

This step is expected to significantly facilitate travel for Filipino tourists to Israel and strengthen economic and tourism ties between the two nations. Katz emphasized the importance of this move, particularly given the steady growth in visitors from the Philippines, which ranked fifth among incoming tourist numbers to Israel in 2024, with approximately 40,000 visitors, most traveling for religious purposes.

The upcoming Christian Jubilee Year (2025) offers a unique opportunity to increase religious tourism to Israel, with visitors able to receive the “Certificate of Forgiveness” as declared by the Pope. The planned direct flight will further enhance accessibility to Israel’s holy sites, boosting its appeal to Christian tourists.

Katz further stated, “Upon taking office, I identified a significant increase in the number of tourists from the Philippines, which has remained stable even during challenging times, including during the war. The Philippines is a key country in Asia, and its citizens view Israel as a must-visit destination. We are committed to continuing and strengthening tourism ties with the Philippines and deepening cooperation between our nations.”

Frasco also added, “Israel and the Philippines share a tradition of warm relations, a common heritage, and shared faith, emphasized through cultural and tourism exchanges. We will continue to share knowledge in areas such as sustainable tourism and accessible tourism, aiming to strengthen the bond between our countries.”