The Philippines is pushing for increased aviation connectivity with Bahrain, specifically aiming to establish direct flights to Cebu, as part of its strategy to attract more tourists from the Middle East.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco raised the proposal during a bilateral meeting with Bahrain Tourism Minister Fatima J. Al Sairafi on the sidelines of the 9th UN World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism. Frasco, who also serves as vice chair of the Civil Aeronautics Board, emphasized that improved flight options are key to driving tourism growth. Currently, Philippine Airlines operates nonstop flights between Bahrain and Manila under a code-sharing agreement with Gulf Air.
From January to October this year, the Philippines recorded 5,528 tourist arrivals from Bahrain, marking a 16% increase from the same period in 2023. Pre-pandemic numbers in 2019 showed only 3,296 arrivals from Bahrain. Overall, tourist arrivals from the Middle East in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic figures by 9.7%, totaling 80,851 visitors.
To further attract Middle Eastern travelers, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is advocating for halal certifications and Muslim-friendly hospitality standards across the Philippines.
The bilateral talks also covered joint promotions, professional exchanges, enhancing the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) sector, tourism investments, education in hospitality, and cultural preservation. Both parties expressed interest in updating the 2003 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation to strengthen collaboration.
Bahrain officials, including Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) Chief Executive Officer Sarah Ahmed Buheji and Exhibition World Bahrain General Manager Alan Pryor, participated in the discussions. Al Sairafi welcomed the proposed updates to the MOU, expressing optimism about deepening tourism ties between the two nations.
