PHILIPPINES — The Philippines and Chile have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism, opening the door for closer cooperation and increased people-to-people exchanges. The agreement was signed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro on August 13, 2026.
Strengthening Ties Through Travel
The MOU was signed during Secretary Lazaro's official visit to Santiago, where she met with her Chilean counterpart, Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna. The deal aims to stimulate two-way tourism between the two nations, which are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic relations this year. It is a significant step in bringing the Pacific Rim partners closer together.
The agreement covers a wide range of tourism niches. These include dive, cultural, nature-based, food and gastronomy, education, and sports tourism. Both countries will exchange information on product and market development to better promote their unique attractions. This collaboration is designed to create more targeted and effective marketing campaigns.
A Recovering Travel Market
The Department of Tourism has noted that Chile is a small but steadily recovering source market for Philippine tourism. As of August 14, 2026, Chilean arrivals reached 1,451, reflecting a 7.16 percent growth rate. While this represents a modest share of total visitors, the trend is clearly positive.
The numbers show a strong comeback from the pandemic lows. Arrivals dropped from 2,887 in 2019 to just 62 in 2021. By 2025, the figure had recovered to 1,967, a 68.13 percent recovery rate. The MOU is expected to accelerate this recovery by enhancing promotion and connectivity between the two countries.
Beyond Tourism: A Comprehensive Partnership
The tourism agreement is part of a broader deepening of Philippine-Chile relations. The two countries have recently concluded negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). This landmark deal is the Philippines' first bilateral free trade agreement with a Latin American country.
The CEPA opens gates for immense trade and investment opportunities, making the nations more interconnected. It covers sectors like agriculture, semiconductors, and the digital economy. The tourism MOU complements this by fostering the people-to-people linkages that underpin strong economic ties.
80 Years of Diplomatic Bonds
Secretary Lazaro also met with Chilean President José Antonio Kast Rist, conveying greetings from President Marcos and extending an invitation for him to visit the Philippines. This year marks 80 years since diplomatic relations were established on July 4, 1946. The milestone underscores the enduring nature of the friendship between the two nations.
The visit and agreements signal a mutual commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors. Beyond trade and tourism, discussions also covered maritime and consular cooperation. The partnership is evolving into a comprehensive and strategic alliance.
