Philippines Lobbies for Increased Tourism Arrivals from Austria

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco exchanging views with State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler on strengthening tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Austria. From left to right: Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco Frasco, Secretary Frasco, Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas, DOT Undersecretary/OIC Verna C. Buensuceso, Mr. Adrian Gasser, Mr. Georg Kirchmair, and State Secretary Kraus-Winkler. (photo courtesy of BMAW/Matthias Dolenc)

VIENNA 25 March 2024 – In line with the country’s twin goals of increasing tourism arrivals from abroad and promoting a tourism industry that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient, Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met with Austrian officials in Vienna on 7 March 2024 to discuss new ways to further strengthen tourism cooperation between the Philippines and Austria.   

Among the areas of cooperation discussed between Secretary Frasco and Austrian State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler was a framework for tourism-related exchanges and activities.   

There was also a productive exchange of information on visitor arrival statistics, on best practices for sustainable tourism, on the effects of tourism digitalization on the economy, as well as on the increasing popularity of the Philippines as a top destination for English as a Second Language (ESL) programs and as a center of excellence for hospitality training. The Philippines ranks fifth among providers of ESL as a tourism product worldwide. 

Visitor arrivals from Austria reached 13,180 in 2023, an 89% recovery rate compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. There were 14,840 recorded visitor arrivals from Austria in 2019. END

The Philippine delegation, led by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, and the Austria delegation, led by State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler, posed for a photograph with the Love the Philippines hand gesture. (photo courtesy of BMAW/Matthias Dolenc)

 State Secretary for Tourism Susanne Kraus-Winkler shared information about the city with Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco while walking through the streets of Vienna. (photo courtesy of BMAW/Matthias Dolenc)

For more information, visit https://www.viennape.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philippine-embassy.at or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinAustria/,  https://www.twitter.com/PHLinAustria  or https://www.instagram.com/phinaustria/.