The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Wednesday urged the government to carefully review a proposed P240 fee on international travelers, warning that the measure could negatively affect travel demand and business activity. The fee is intended to fund the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) modernization program, according to a report by BusinessWorld .
The PCCI said the proposed fee forms part of a broader Civil Aviation and Immigration Security plan, but cautioned that adding costs to travelers could discourage both tourism and business trips. The chamber emphasized the need for a thorough study to balance the BI’s funding requirements with the potential economic impact on the travel industry and related sectors.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concerns that the additional fee, if implemented without proper consultation, might undermine the country’s competitiveness as a travel and investment destination. The PCCI called for dialogue between the government and private sector to ensure that any modernization efforts do not come at the expense of economic growth.