Philippine Tourism showcases city life and island escapes with travel packages

Friday, 25 Apr 2025
(From left) Ong (marketing director of TPBP), influencer Sherlyn Heon, Peter Tay (managing director of Boracay Adventures Travel N Tours), and influencer Miko Wong at the Philippines pavilion during the recent Matta Fair in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Azhar Mahfof
From vibrant cities to sun-kissed islands, the Philippines has a lot to offer Malaysian tourists, especially those seeking a tropical escape.
During Matta Fair 2025, held last weekend at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur, throngs of eager travellers visited the Philippine Tourism pavilion to check out what the country has to offer.
And they were not disappointed.
There was a wide range of travel packages exclusively tailored for Malaysians, with expert agents on-site, ready to advise interested guests. From new attractions and hotels, to Muslim-friendly holiday spots, there were plenty to check out.
Marketing director of Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBP) Datuk Melissa Ong, who attended the fair, said that there is definitely a growing interest from Malaysians to visit the country. She revealed that local enquiries on travel packages to the Philippines have grown substantially, with some asking about areas beyond Manila.
“Because of this, we have expanded our travel packages, adding a lot more offers for places like Palawan and Cebu.
“Boracay is a popular spot for Malaysians especially after local singer Fish Leong had her wedding reception at the beautiful beach many years ago,” said Ong when interviewed at Matta Fair.
She added that more flights to destinations in the Philippines other than the capital, Manila, are also available now, resulting in the increase in visitor arrivals.
“Airlines are increasing flights to more areas in the Philippines and because of this, there has been an encouraging number of Malaysian travellers visiting the country. Apart from that, social media has helped put these places out there too,” said Ong.
Ong herself travels to the Philippines often, sometimes on her own. “It is a safe place to visit and I would say that most of the destinations around the country that we’re promoting would appeal to adventure seekers.”
Visitors crowd the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBP) booth at the Matta Fair last weekend in KL. Photo: The Star/ M. Irsyad
Meanwhile, Gianna Allysa, a market specialist from TPBP, shared the diverse range of packages that were available at the fair for travellers. These packages cater to large and small groups, families, couples and also solo travellers.
“The islands are great for families and party-goers. During the day, there are plenty of beach activities to enjoy like parasailing, helmet diving and scuba diving.
“At night, everything transforms into a big ‘party’, with coloured lights, music and so much more. It is perfect for folks who enjoy the beach social scene,” Allysa said.
A typical holiday in the Philippines should start with Manila, Allysa advised. Manila is a vibrant capital where history meets modern flair, and most international flights fly into the main airport here.
(From left) Lifestyle and travel influencers Sherlyn Heon, Miko Wong, and Adeline Tsen pose at the Philippines pavilion at the Matta Fair. Photo: The Star/ M. Irsyad
Walk through the centuries-old Intramuros – a walled city featuring Spanish colonial architecture – as well as some of the museums. Then check out the city’s bustling shopping and entertainment hubs like SM Mall of Asia (one of the largest malls in the world!), Greenbelt and Bonifacio High Street. These places are great for folks hunting for bargains, souvenirs and food.
“The Venice Grand Canal Mall is a must-see for tourists. As the name states, it mimics the Italian city, where visitors can take a boat ride on the canal that runs through the mall. At the same time, they can enjoy local delicacies and do some shopping,” said Allysa.
From Manila, take a domestic flight to Boracay, which is just over an hour long. Here, powdery white sand, clear turquoise waters and epic sunsets await.
It’s the ideal place for folks seeking a relaxing beach holiday, as well as those who love sea adventures like parasailing, snorkelling and island hopping.
Thanks to the rise in visitor numbers from Malaysia, there are now more Muslim-friendly eateries and attractions on the island, including a special beach area.
“Last September, the Philippine Department of Tourism launched a Muslim-friendly beach called Marhaba Boracay, located in the cove area of the Boracay Newcoast private beach. It is designed to accommodate Muslim travellers, with facilities like prayer rooms, and information about halal food around the area,” Allysa shared.
For more information, visit the official TPBP website.
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