Canada and the Philippines have signed a new tourism agreement aimed at strengthening travel between the two countries.
The memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed July 2, 2026 in Vancouver by Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism) Rechie Valdez and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, establishes a framework for the two countries to exchange tourism data.
The tourism MOU complements efforts to deepen Canada-Philippines economic relations, including negotiations toward an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Canada free trade agreement and a bilateral Canada-Philippines free trade agreement.
Canada and the Philippines already share tourism links, driven by a large Filipino-Canadian community, visiting friends and relatives, along with growing leisure travel. Approximately 333,000 Canadians visited the country in 2025.
According to the federal government, nearly one million Canadians of Filipino origin live in Canada.
"This agreement with the Philippines builds on the strong ties our countries already share and creates a foundation for even greater tourism, investment and economic growth," said Valdez.
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"For our many kababayans with family and deep roots in the Philippines, it also creates more opportunities to reconnect with loved ones and celebrate the ties that unite our communities. As we build the strongest economy in the G7, partnerships like this help Canadian businesses reach more people, welcome more visitors and create prosperity that is felt in communities across the country,"
The agreement follows the visit of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to Vancouver from July 1 to 4. During a July 2 meeting, Prime Minister Mark Carney and President Marcos agreed to elevate Canada-Philippines relations to a strategic partnership.
According a July 3 Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada press release, in 2025, Canada welcomed approximately 115,800 visitors from the Philippines, who spent about CAD$301 million during their trips.
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