Tourism Gets a Turbo Boost: New Zealand Invests Big, Philippines Flings Open Its Doors

Unknown Apr 02, 2026 500 Views

International tourism is set for a big boost as governments launch new funding and policy initiatives to draw in more global visitors. On June 10, 2025, New Zealand announced a major $35 million Tourism Growth Roadmap. The Philippines also introduced a visa-free entry policy for Indian tourists,...

Key Highlights

New Zealand’s $35 Million Tourism Growth Roadmap

The New Zealand government is investing an extra $35 million to increase international visitor numbers, improve tourism infrastructure, and promote economic growth.
More than $19 million will fund international marketing in key and emerging markets, including Australia, China, the USA, Germany, South Korea, and India.
$8 million is set aside to attract business and major events, with $3 million specifically for the Conference Assistance Programme, which supports 15-20 additional international business event bids in 2024/25.
The roadmap seeks to double tourism export earnings by 2034 and is supported by the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, which was nearly tripled last year.
The government expects this investment to bring in around $300 million in visitor spending and attract 72,000 more tourists, with 14% of international holiday visitors influenced directly by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing.

Philippines Opens Doors to Indian Tourists

Starting June 8, 2025, Indian nationals can visit the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days. Those holding US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen, or Singapore visas qualify for stays of up to 30 days.
This policy has already led to a 28% increase in travel interest from India, with a projected 20-30% ongoing rise in demand.
The Philippines has quickly become the third most-searched Southeast Asian destination for Indian travelers, following Thailand and Indonesia.

Industry Reactions

New Zealand’s hospitality and business events sectors have welcomed the funding. They highlighted that business visitors tend to spend more, benefiting regional economies and creating year-round demand.
The Philippines’ policy is expected to change travel trends in one of the world’s fastest-growing outbound markets.
“This second wave of funding sends a clear message to the global market. New Zealand is ready to compete for international business events, and we’re committed for the long term,” said Lisa Hopkins, CEO of Business Events Industry Aotearoa.

With these bold actions, both countries are positioning themselves as strong contenders in the race to seize the post-pandemic tourism recovery, creating new opportunities for travelers and industry stakeholders alike.

Source: RNZ, CMW, Moneycontrol, MBIE

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