Metro Manila to host majority of over 600 meetings in ASEAN 2026 – DOT

The Department of Tourism shared that they are expecting heavy foot traffic for the incoming Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2026.

During the Travel Sale Expo 2025 Press Conference, DOT-National Capital Region (NCR) officer-in-charge Ivannovitch Agote shared that more than 600 meetings will be taking place nationwide for the summit, and most of the meetings will take place in Metro Manila.

“Metro Manila will be busy next year for the ASEAN. There are around 600 plus meetings to be done in the Philippines, so that’s scattered throughout the country from Luzon, Visayas, not sure if there’s any in Mindanao,” he said.

“DOT-NCR will be at the helm of preparation for the ASEAN meetings, this is a year-long event next year. That’s really something that we can look forward to. The props are on the way,” he added.

Agote noted that most of the meetings will most likely involve high-profile individuals, such as ministers, dignitaries, and senior officials.

Meanwhile, he also shared that the arrival numbers of visitors in Manila are on the rise.

“We are on an increasing trend… We’re tracking our overnight arrivals. So far, we are seeing an increasing trend,” he said.

The Philippines is set to chair the incoming 2026 ASEAN Summit, following Malaysia.

Earlier, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro shared that the country will be focusing on discussions regarding peace and security, maritime cooperation, and climate change for the summit.

The Marcos administration had previously proposed spending more than P17 billion to prepare for the incoming ASEAN meetings. — RF, GMA Integrated News