Philippine Tourists Embrace ‘Barefoot Luxury’ And Slow Travel Trends

Written By: Sanjana Dubey

Sanjana Dubey

A passionate storyteller and emerging journalist, I am currently doing job while diving deep into the world of journalism. With two years of practical experience, I have cultivated a knack for transforming ideas into engaging narratives that captivate readers. My journey blends academic insight with real-world reporting, allowing me to explore culture, travel, and lifestyle through a creative and informed lens. Committed to delivering fresh, authentic, and impactful content, I strive to make every story not just read, but truly experienced.

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January 23, 2025 12:23 GMT+5:30

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Filipino tourists are increasingly opting for extended stays in travel destinations to fully experience diverse cultures and explore lesser-known attractions, according to a tourism expert. This evolving travel preference reflects a broader global trend in how people approach their journeys.

Chal Lontoc-Del Rosario, the public relations officer of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, highlighted that the concepts of “slow travel” and “barefoot luxury”—a blend of premium services offered at accessible prices—are rapidly gaining popularity among Filipino travelers.

This shift in travel preferences among Filipinos has led many travel agencies to introduce extended tour packages, shared Lontoc-Del Rosario, who also runs her own travel business.

Travel trends differ notably between generations, with Gen Z travelers, born between 1997 and 2003, showing a preference for spontaneous trip planning. In contrast, millennial tourists are gravitating toward more structured and well-organized travel experiences, according to the PTAA representative.

Filipino travelers now share a common interest in exploring fresh and less conventional destinations, steering away from traditional tourist hubs and capital cities.

Japan continues to be a top international destination for Filipino tourists, but Vietnam is quickly gaining traction as a popular choice, according to Bryan Sansolis, Head of Philippine Sales at Philippine Airlines (PAL).

The PTAA has extended invitations to tourism boards from various destinations, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea, to participate in the Travel Tour Expo 2025, scheduled for February 7-9. This event aims to provide Filipino travelers with insights into new destinations and activities, according to PTAA representatives.

The Travel Tour Expo 2025, celebrated as the largest tourism expo in the Philippines, will bring together 321 exhibitors offering discounted rates on flights, hotels, tour packages, travel essentials, and accessories, all designed to support the growth of the tourism industry.

In 2024, the Philippines fell short of its target of 7.7 million tourist arrivals, recording only 5.64 million visitors from January to December. Despite this, the Department of Tourism reported a record-breaking P760 billion in international tourism revenue for 2024, marking a 9-percent increase compared to the previous year’s earnings.