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WWW.TRAVELWEEKLY-ASIA.COM 3 NOV 2017 E N T RY R E G U L A T I O N S — Nationals from 151 coun- tries, traveling for business and tourism purposes, may enter the Philippines without visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destina- tion and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. Visas and special permits may be obtained from Philippine Embassies and Consu- lates. For complete details and list of 151 countries, please visit www.dfa.gov.ph. nights in the previous years. These figures are one of the longest in the Southeast Asian region. Visitors from the US stayed the longest at 12.4 nights while Korean visitors stayed an average of 5.4 nights. Nature-based activities such as sun and beach tourism and diving and marine sports are prioritized under the government's tourism programs. So, too, with culture because the country's unique blend of Asian and European influences is a unique experience for visitors. Other activities such as meetings and conferences, as well as leisure, shopping and entertainment, are becoming increasingly popular. LEVELING UP The Philippines is well on its way to meeting, if not surpassing, its tourism growth targets as the government embarks on a massive infrastructure program. Terminal capacity in the country's 13 gateways is expected to grow as expansion and upgrading projects are undertaken, either through government spending or through private sector investments. These airport projects, and expanded air connectivity with key and emerging markets, are expected to fuel the growth and allow the destination to hit or even surpass its 6.5 million foreign arrivals and 73 million domestic air passenger targets for 2017. The destination is "leveling up," — putting in place needed infrastructure to boost access, the right business climate to spur investments in accommodation facilities, and the resources to promote the Philippines as a destination of choice in one of the hottest travel regions in the world.