A recent article in Esquire Philippines attempted to settle the debate on whether travel to and in the Philippines is more expensive than elsewhere in Southeast Asia.  

The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) defended local pricing, saying hotel rates reflect the high cost of doing business in the country. There is some truth to that stance, but it ignores a much more urgent and far-reaching issue. For most travelers—Filipinos and foreigners—the biggest deterrent is the price, not of the hotel room, but of getting there.

Airfare shockers 

Let’s start with the elephant in the airport: domestic airfare.

If you have ever tried during peak season to book a flight from Manila to Palawan, Siargao, or Bohol, you have probably experienced sticker shock. A round-trip ticket can easily cost between ₱20,000 and ₱30,000. That’s not for a premium seat or a long-haul international flight. That’s for economy class on a domestic route that takes less than 90 minutes.

To put that in perspective, that same amount or even less can get you a round-trip flight from Manila to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, or Taiwan. Budget airlines like Cebu Pacific and AirAsia frequently run international seat sales that make it cheaper to leave the country than to travel within it.

This is not an exception. This is now the norm. 

Department of Tourism (DOT) figures show that more than 7 million Filipinos traveled overseas in 2024, outnumbering foreign tourists who came to the Philippines. That says a lot: Given the choice, many Filipinos now find it more affordable, efficient, and enjoyable to explore other countries than their own.

The problem of access

Let’s be clear: Hotel prices matter, but they are not the root of the issue. The PHOA’s defense of hotel rates—blaming energy costs, labor, and inflation—misses the bigger picture. A reasonably priced beachfront resort in Coron or El Nido will not attract travelers if airfare eats up more than half their budget.

It also does not help that the country lacks seamless air and sea connectivity. Many regional airports are outdated, poorly maintained, or unequipped to handle high passenger volumes or larger aircraft. 

Flight delays and cancellations due to weather or technical issues are common, especially in remote destinations like Siargao and Busuanga. Ferry services between islands are also limited, inconsistent, or overpriced, with terminals that often lack basic amenities or safety standards.

Land travel is equally problematic. Public transportation in most provinces is unreliable, underdeveloped, or outright confusing, so that travelers are forced to rely on private van rentals or overpriced transfers just to get from the airport to their accommodation. The result is a costly, stressful travel experience that discourages both local and international tourism.

Other countries do it better

Our Southeast Asian neighbors are taking tourism seriously—and it shows.

Thailand has built ultra-low-cost domestic airlines that keep airfares reasonable even during peak season. Vietnam has invested heavily in modern train and bus networks that allow for scenic, affordable land travel. Indonesia offers efficient ferry systems that connect its islands and operates competitive budget airlines that link cities like Jakarta to Bali and Lombok. 

These countries understand that making tourism work starts with accessibility, not luxury.

Meanwhile, the Philippines continues to fall behind. In the 2024 Travel and Tourism Development Index published by the World Economic Forum, it ranked 75th out of 119. 

The Philippines trailed Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia despite boasting some of the world’s most stunning natural landscapes. Tourists are skipping the country, not because it’s less beautiful, but because it’s less connected.

What needs to be done 

If the DOT and government policymakers are serious about making the Philippines more competitive, then they need to address the airfare and infrastructure crises with real action, not PR campaigns.

Addressing the cost of domestic airfare may involve subsidizing routes during peak season, capping ticket prices for Filipino travelers during national holidays, or requiring budget airlines to reserve some low-fare seats per flight. Affordable airfare is not a luxury but a necessity for a tourism-dependent economy like ours.

Air and sea infrastructure needs a massive upgrade in terms of expanded and modernized regional airports, especially in tourism hot spots like Palawan, Siargao, and Bohol. 

Ferry terminals must be equipped with clean facilities, digital booking systems, and scheduled departures that are strictly followed. Opening more direct flights from regional airports to international destinations will ease the pressure on Manila’s overburdened Ninoy Aquino International Airport and spread tourism benefits across the country.

Improving interisland connectivity is equally essential. The government should support public-private partnerships that can develop and maintain consistent, affordable ferry routes. 

Reliable connections between islands will encourage multi-destination trips and boost the economies of less-visited provinces.

Of course, there should be more competition in the transportation sector. Allowing new airline and ferry operators into the market can encourage innovation, improve service, and drive prices down. Monopolies and duopolies are part of the problem; healthy competition will help solve it.

Local tourism businesses also need financial and technical support. The government should provide tax incentives, grants, and easy-access loans to help community-based tourism groups and small operators thrive. Without these, only large corporations will survive, and the promise of inclusive tourism development will remain unfulfilled.

Lastly, the entire travel experience must be digitized. The DOT should spearhead the development of an integrated platform where tourists can book flights, ferries, tours, accommodations, and even permits. This will eliminate the confusion and inefficiency that plague the planning process, especially for foreign visitors.

Basics before billboards

It’s time to acknowledge a difficult truth: Glossy marketing campaigns like “Love the Philippines” cannot paper over the fundamental flaws in the tourism sector.

The average tourist does not remember hashtags or slogans. They remember the basics: Was the flight worth its cost? Were the roads at least passable? Was the booking experience smooth? They remember if the airport was clean, the tour guide was punctual, and the hotel was accessible. These basics matter far more than any Instagram reel.

Right now, the Philippines is investing in the message before fixing the experience. That’s a mistake.

For Filipino travelers, too

And this is not only about foreigners but also about Filipinos. Those whose country it is should be able to explore it without breaking the bank.

From barkada trips to family vacations, Filipinos should be encouraged to travel domestically. But they are being priced out of their own country. What a tragedy. If Filipinos can’t afford to experience their beautiful islands, then what is the tourism industry for?

This is not a rant but a call for reform.

The Philippines has everything a tourist can dream of: lush rainforests, turquoise lagoons, historic cities, and some of the most hospitable people on earth. But these will never be enough if getting to them is more expensive than a trip to Seoul or Tokyo.

Tourism is not just about beaches and resorts. It is also about access, equity, and ease.

We are not asking the government to lower hotel prices. We are asking it to make travel within the country affordable, efficient, and logical.

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