PH Targets Middle Eastern Tourists by Adding Bahrain-Cebu Flights

In a bid to boost its tourist arrivals from the Middle East, the Philippines is working on increasing flights between Bahrain and Cebu.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco discussed the matter with Bahrain Tourism Minister Fatima J. Al Sairafi during their bilateral meeting, held alongside the 9th UN Tourism World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.

Philippine Airlines currently offers nonstop flights between Bahrain and Manila through a code-sharing agreement with Gulf Air.

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Tourist arrivals from Bahrain increased by 16 percent from January to October this year, totaling 5,528. Pre-pandemic arrivals from Bahrain in 2019 were just at 3,296. Last year's arrivals from the Middle East surpassed pre-pandemic figures by 9.7 percent, totaling 80,851.

The two tourism officials also explored potential joint promotions, exchanging tourism professionals, enhancing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) events, and boosting tourism investments, education in tourism and hospitality, and preserving cultural heritage.

Al Sairafi agreed to Frasco's idea of updating the 2003 Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation between their countries. “I believe that the MOU will put the silver lining for our cooperation, and I’m so happy that you are here in the Kingdom of Bahrain so that we could start discussing ways that we can collaborate,” he said.

The Philippines seeks to attract Middle Eastern tourists by promoting halal measures and Muslim-friendly guidelines in hospitality.