PH a permanent market for Swiss people in Southeast Asia

Metro Manila, Philippines – Switzerland is emerging as a key destination for Filipino upscale travelers drawn to its nature-based tourism. According to data from the Swiss Embassy in Manila, the Philippines is now considered a permanent market for Swiss tourism in Southeast Asia.

During a media briefing on Tuesday, the embassy noted that while the Philippines accounts for the smallest share of Southeast Asian visitors to Switzerland, the number of Filipino tourists has been steadily rising.

In 2024, 83,257 Filipino travelers visited Switzerland, marking a 4% increase compared to 2023.

The largest share of Southeast Asian tourists to Switzerland came from Singapore (227,844), Thailand (178,761), and Malaysia (133,925).

The embassy said Filipinos visiting Switzerland are often drawn to its alpine landscapes, outdoor activities, and luxury experiences.

Swiss Ambassador Nicholas Brühl expressed hope that more flights between Switzerland and the Philippines will be established to accommodate the rising demand.

“So personally, I really hope that we will have more and more border flights in the future,” Brühl said during the briefing.

As of now, France remains the only European country with direct flights to Manila, making travel to Switzerland dependent on layovers in other major hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Singapore.