With the value of credit card and digital payments continuing to grow globally and domestically—driven by convenience, security, and rewards—the Department of Tourism (DOT) has partnered with Visa to support its tourism development agenda by expanding access to modern payment solutions across Philippine destinations.
The collaboration was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Bella Lai, Head of Government Solutions for Visa Southeast Asia.
Vote of confidence in Philippine tourism
The DOT welcomed the partnership as a strong endorsement of the Philippines’ tourism growth trajectory 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,” said Secretary Frasco. She noted that Visa’s extensive global network will help amplify the Philippines’ visibility in key international markets while supporting destination competitiveness.
Visa, a global leader in digital payments, will work with the DOT to drive wider digital payment acceptance in major tourist destinations, support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and advance data-driven tourism planning.
Enhancing visitor experience and empowering communities
For travelers, the collaboration aims to deliver more seamless and secure payment experiences; for local businesses, access to tools that support growth; and for communities, data insights and digital skills that enable broader participation in the tourism economy—contributing to more inclusive and sustainable tourism development.
The partnership is expected to bring particular benefits to 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,” 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 commits to data-driven and inclusive tourism growth
Visa emphasized its commitment to supporting the Philippines’ tourism sector through technology, data, and capacity building.
“Through this collaboration, we aim to empower tourism stakeholders in the Philippines by leveraging Visa’s global network and leadership in payment technology,” said Bella Lai, Head of Government Solutions for Visa Southeast Asia. “We will work closely with the DOT and industry partners in key areas such as data-driven tourism insights, MSME digitalization and innovation, capacity building, and financial literacy.”
Lai added that Visa continues to collaborate with government agencies and stakeholders to expand digital and contactless payment acceptance across the country, supporting a more connected and future-ready tourism ecosystem.
Tourism and cashless payments gaining momentum
Tourism remains a key economic driver, contributing 8.9% to gross domestic product and generating 13.8% of total employment in 2024.
Globally, Visa works with tourism authorities to promote digital payment acceptance and strengthen tourism planning through data analytics. In Mexico, Visa partnered with the government to expand digital payment acceptance among small merchants in tourist destinations, enabling 3.9 million merchants to accept digital payments. In Japan, Visa collaborated with the Osaka Prefecture and Osaka Tourism Bureau to support the government’s push toward a 40% cashless payment ratio by 2025.
The shift toward cashless travel is also reflected in consumer behavior. According to the Visa 2023 Global Travel Intentions Study, 97% of travelers across Asia-Pacific plan to bring debit, prepaid, or credit cards on their trips, while only 17% intend to carry foreign currency, underscoring the growing importance of cashless readiness in tourism destinations.
