Filipinos flying abroad may soon have one less expense to worry about as the Senate moves to abolish the travel tax before the end of 2026. The proposal has already passed the House of Representatives and is expected to be discussed by senators soon. But what would the change mean for travelers?
Senate prioritizes abolition
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the Senate will prioritize the travel tax abolition bill this year. He said removing the tax could help reduce the cost of international travel and support the tourism industry. The measure is part of several tax reforms being considered by the Senate.
Travelers still pay for now
The travel tax remains in effect while the bill is being processed. The current rates are P1,620 for economy-class passengers and P2,700 for first-class passengers. Travelers with upcoming international flights should continue including the tax in their travel budget.
Government may lose billions
Gatchalian estimated that abolishing the travel tax could result in around P6 billion in lost government revenue. He said increased tourism activity could help offset the loss. The House previously reported that travel tax collections reached P8.7 billion in 2025.
Where the money currently goes
Travel tax collections are currently distributed among tourism, higher education, and culture programs. Fifty percent goes to the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, 40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education, and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
What happens next
The Senate still needs to deliberate on the proposal before it can become law. If approved, the measure will go through the remaining legislative and approval process before taking effect. Until then, the existing travel tax remains applicable to covered international passengers.
