The Department of Tourism (DOT) has entered into a strategic collaboration with Visa, a world leader in digital payments, to strengthen digital tourism across key destinations in the Philippines, responding to the growing preference for cashless payments among both local and international travelers.
Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership aims to expand digital payment acceptance in tourism hubs, support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and harness data-driven insights to guide destination planning and sustainable tourism development. Tourism remains a vital pillar of the economy, contributing 8.9% to gross domestic product and generating 13.8% of total employment in 2024.
DOT sees partnership as vote of confidence in Philippine tourism
The DOT welcomed the collaboration as a strong endorsement of the Philippines’ tourism growth and digital readiness.
“On behalf of the Department of Tourism, we express our gratitude to Visa. This partnership is a clear vote of confidence in Philippine tourism and a recognition of the country’s strong growth momentum,” the Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said, noting that Visa’s global reach will help amplify the Philippines’ visibility in key international markets.
Driving digital readiness across tourism destinations
As traveler expectations evolve, the DOT views cashless payment acceptance as a core element of destination competitiveness. Visa’s 2023 Global Travel Intentions Study shows that 97% of travelers across Asia Pacific plan to bring debit, prepaid, or credit cards when traveling, while only 17% intend to carry foreign currency—highlighting the importance of seamless digital transactions across accommodations, attractions, transport services, and retail outlets.
Data-driven planning to improve visitor experience
According to the DOT, access to anonymized data insights will enable the government to better align its tourism programs with actual visitor behavior.
“The data insights that Visa can provide are extremely important in helping us fine-tune and customize our destination development programs—ensuring that they are driven by visitor spending patterns and needs,” Frasco said, adding that this approach supports more responsive and sustainable tourism planning.
Empowering MSMEs and far-flung destinations
The partnership is also expected to bring tangible benefits to tourism stakeholders, particularly in island provinces and regional destinations.
“By expanding access to digital and credit card payment solutions, even in far-flung areas, we enable local tourism stakeholders to generate income with greater ease,” the Secretary Frasco said. “This allows international travelers to enjoy the convenience of cashless payments while supporting more inclusive and equitable tourism development across our islands and regions.”
Visa reinforces commitment to cash-lite tourism ecosystem
“Visa supports the government’s vision of a cash-lite society, and this collaboration with the Department of Tourism reinforces our commitment to driving tourism growth in the Philippines,” said Jeffrey Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines.
“By enabling seamless and secure digital payments for travelers, empowering small businesses to thrive, and advancing digital and financial inclusion, we aim to create a stronger, more resilient tourism sector. Through data-driven insights and collaboration, we are helping build an ecosystem where every stakeholder can participate in the digital economy and contribute to sustainable tourism growth.”
Strong domestic shift toward cashless transactions
Visa’s latest Consumer Payment Attitudes Study underscores the readiness of the Philippine market for cashless tourism. Cash usage declined to 87% in 2023 from 96% in 2022, while card usage reached 70% and mobile wallet usage stood at 87%, on par with cash transactions. On average, Filipinos now go without cash for up to 10 days.
Contactless payments shaping the visitor journey
Contactless payments—including tap-to-pay cards and QR codes—continue to gain traction. About nine in ten Filipinos are aware of and interested in using contactless payment methods. When traveling overseas, 55% of Filipinos prefer debit or credit cards for cross-border payments, citing speed, convenience, and ease of use—reinforcing the need for Philippine destinations to be cashless-ready.
As the Philippines moves closer to a cash-lite society, the DOT–Visa partnership positions the country to enhance visitor satisfaction, empower tourism enterprises, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Philippine destinations.
