Business Bayani PH

In a press conference on January 18, Patria Chiong, the chair of the Travel Tour Expo 2024 organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), unveiled an optimistic forecast for the travel industry in the country. According to Chiong, the PTAA anticipates a substantial 20 to 25-percent surge in travel bookings this year, fueled by the robust desire among Filipinos to explore both domestic and international destinations.

Chiong highlighted that the current booking levels of travel agencies have not only rebounded but have surpassed pre-pandemic figures. She expressed confidence in the industry’s future, saying, “What about the future? Of course, we are looking forward [sic]. It’s not only for this year, for next year but way beyond, and I am sure that all stakeholders for travel [sic] and tourism sector are positive that we will move forward, and there’s no way to go but up.”

Evelyn Bondagjy, PTAA vice president for outbound, shared insights into the increasing trend of Filipinos venturing abroad. Bondagjy pointed out that the Philippines is witnessing a surge in foreign trips, with Filipinos emerging as significant travelers in Asia. 

She attributed this rise to the younger demographic, saying, “The Philippines predominantly are young people. The working class, they also want to enjoy life. They want to see places. The education of travel is different from going to school or just doing other things here. When you travel, you see the world. It’s different.”

Bondagjy identified several factors contributing to the spike in international travel, including the concept of “revenge travel” post-lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Additionally, enticing offers from airlines and tour operators aimed at making travel more affordable have played a pivotal role in encouraging Filipinos to explore overseas destinations. 

She emphasized, “Of course, all the other suppliers, airlines, and tour operators, it’s their chance now to recover all the losses of the lockdown during the pandemic.”

Affordability appears to be a crucial factor influencing travel choices, as Bondagjy noted a notable increase in Filipinos visiting destinations like Vietnam, Japan, Hong Kong, Türkiye, Spain, and Portugal in Europe.

Meanwhile, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released data showcasing a robust recovery in global air travel. November 2023 saw air travel demand exceeding 99% of 2019 levels, with total traffic rising by 29.7% compared to November 2022. 

The Asia-Pacific region reported the most significant year-over-year growth, soaring by 63.8%. Despite international travel remaining 5.5% below pre-pandemic levels, Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, expressed confidence, stating, “We are moving ever closer to surpassing the 2019 peak year for air travel.”

Domestic travel in November 2023 witnessed a substantial 34.8% increase compared to the same period in 2022. Notably, China experienced an impressive surge of 272%, rebounding from COVID travel restrictions. 

The United States also recorded a new high, with domestic travel expanding by 9.1% over November 2019, fueled by strong demand during the Thanksgiving holidays.

The travel industry in the Philippines appears to be on a promising trajectory, with both domestic and international travel gaining momentum. As Filipinos display a keen interest in exploring the world, the PTAA’s optimistic projections, coupled with the positive trends in global air travel, set the stage for a vibrant year ahead for travel agencies and enthusiasts alike.◼