Philippines bags top honors at 2025 Routes Asia Awards

The Philippines solidified its position as a regional aviation and tourism leader after winning two major categories at the prestigious Routes Asia Awards 2025 held in Perth, Australia on March 26.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the country was named Destination of the Year, while Cebu Pacific took home the Best Airline award for the second consecutive year—an outcome attributed to both government and industry-led initiatives to expand domestic and international connectivity.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco said the awards reflect the Philippines’ rising profile as a global tourism hub, with the country surpassing other strong contenders including the Guam Visitors Bureau, Japan National Tourism Organization, South Australia Tourism Commission, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

"This recognition celebrates the collective effort of the DOT and our partners across the government and private sector. Competing with such esteemed tourism bodies and emerging on top speaks volumes about how far the Philippines has come in establishing itself as a tourism powerhouse,” Frasco said in a statement Monday.

The awards were anchored on the country’s progress in opening up air access to key tourist destinations. As of February 28, the Philippines has launched 46 new domestic and 47 international routes, significantly improving access to scenic locations such as Siargao, Batanes, Panglao, and Coron.

Frasco also highlighted the importance of partnerships with airlines, noting Cebu Pacific’s contributions to tourism growth. The carrier launched 31 new routes, revived hub operations in Davao and Iloilo, and introduced international flights to Kaohsiung, Chiang Mai, and Sapporo.

The airline also finalized the country’s largest aircraft order in history through a deal with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, positioning itself for continued expansion.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to Cebu Pacific and all our partner airlines for their tireless efforts in enhancing connectivity and making travel more accessible to tourists,” Frasco said.

Cebu Pacific bested competitors such as Cathay Pacific, VietJet Air, and Vietnam Airlines to clinch the Best Airline title.

Meanwhile, two Philippine airports were also recognized. Clark International Airport (CRK) was nominated in the Under 5 Million Passengers category after winning last year, while Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) competed in the 5–20 Million Passengers category, which it won in 2023.

The DOT reaffirmed its commitment to further expanding air access and developing tourism infrastructure to meet rising demand and sustain momentum in visitor arrivals.