India, Philippines to enhance tourism cooperation
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India and the Philippines have decided to enhance mutual cooperation in the tourism sector. Both the countries will identify areas of work together and explore new opportunities especially in the field of research and development, education and training, marketing and destination development and management. 
This was decided at the second meeting of the joint working group on tourism cooperation in Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by R H Khwaja, Union Secretary for Tourism while the Philippines delegation was headed by Maria Victoria V Jasmin, Secretary for Department of Tourism in Philippines.
The two countries emphasised upon the need for destination familiarisation for tour operators, media persons and opinion makers. The meeting also discussed the need to enhance air connectivity between India and Philippines.
India received a total of 24,534 visitors from Philippines in 2010. The Visa on Arrival scheme was also extended to the tourists from Philippines in January 2011, with approximately 1,956 visa being issued last year for the tourists.
