As geopolitical uncertainty continues to reshape travel patterns, Filipino travellers are increasingly choosing destinations closer to home.
Travel Weekly Asia speaks to Vina Cuadra, manager / head of department of international tour operations management, Rakso Travel, who shares the key shifts emerging in the Philippines and where opportunities remain despite continued uncertainty.
Tell us more about the "Europe to safer Asia" shift you're seeing among Filipino travellers.
The ongoing Middle East crisis has shifted Easter and recent holiday demand strongly towards Asia and regional cruising. Among the strongest beneficiaries has been Vietnam, now one of the fastest growing destinations for Filipino travellers.
The demand has been fuelled by social media exposure driven by KOLs and influencers showcasing the country’s “Instagrammable” experiences – from café apartments and coffee culture to cooking classes and attractions such as Sun World Ba Na Hills and destinations like Sa Pa.
Which destinations have emerged as the biggest winners from this shift, and what's driving that demand?
Growth has also been supported by expanded air connectivity and additional direct flights. While only Cebu Pacific operated direct services to Da Nang last year, Philippine Airlines launched direct flights in mid-2025, while Cebu Pacific has since increased frequencies to twice daily.
Taiwan is also seeing strong growth, particularly within the MICE and incentive segment. Competitive airfares and lower land costs are the main drivers, with many corporate groups shifting incentive programmes from Thailand in 2024 towards Taiwan in 2025 and 2026.
What segment is proving most resilient in the current environment?
Intra-region cruising is one of the clear winners in the current environment, with strong growth in demand for regional sailings despite rising fuel surcharges. Filipino travellers are price sensitive but still willing to book when they see value.
Demand for regular cruise products continues to climb across the board, not only for new entrants like Disney Cruise Line but also for existing operators such as Royal Caribbean International and StarDream Cruises.
Do you see new air hubs arising, and how is that influencing travel programmes at Rakso?
China is becoming increasingly important as a transit hub for long-haul travel, with Chinese carriers such as China Eastern emerging as increasingly important connectors for Central Asia and potentially onward long-haul travel. This shift is also encouraging the development of new tour programmes that avoid reliance on Middle Eastern transit points altogether.
In response, Rakso is doubling down on charter operations across Asia. Existing Mongolia charter programmes during the Christmas and New Year period continue to perform strongly, while we are also exploring potential charters to Kyushu in Japan and Vietnam.
Longer term, potential charter services to China – including Chongqing – as well as additional Central Asian routes are also under study.
This article was first published in Travel Weekly Asia’s April-June 2026 issue. Click here to read more from this issue.