The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s most visited destinations — and the mix of nationalities arriving at its airports in 2026 tells a fascinating story about what the country offers and who it attracts. From South Korean beach lovers to Australian adventure seekers, each nationality comes searching for something specific. And for all of them, one truth holds: the best base in the Philippines is not a beach resort. It is a well-managed, high-floor condo in Makati — clean, connected, walkable, and packed with everything an international visitor needs within easy reach.
This guide covers the top five nationalities visiting the Philippines in 2026, what each group is searching for, and exactly why a Stay N Cee condo in Makati is the smartest choice for every single one of them.
The Numbers: Who Is Actually Coming to the Philippines in 2026
The Bureau of Immigration recorded an almost 8% increase in total arrivals in the first half of 2025, with the top five source markets being the United States with 753,544 arrivals, South Korea with 745,623, Japan with 256,776, China with 229,915, and Australia with 188,082.
The Philippines welcomed more than 1.2 million foreign visitors in the first two months of 2026 alone, reflecting renewed global interest in Philippine destinations — from pristine beaches to vibrant cities — at a time when many travellers are seeking unique cultural and natural experiences across Southeast Asia.
Roughly 70 percent of international tourists in the Philippines are repeat visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more — making the country one of the highest repeat-visitation destinations in Asia.
These are not one-time tourists ticking a box. These are travellers who come back, who know what they want, and who increasingly understand that Manila — and Makati specifically — is the best base for their Philippine experience.
#1 — South Korea: The Philippines’ Biggest Tourist Market
South Korea is the single largest source of foreign visitors to the Philippines — and has been for years. South Koreans took a 26.98 percent share of total Philippine arrivals from January to October 2024, with 1.32 million arrivals — an 11.39 percent increase year-on-year, further cementing South Korea’s position as the Philippines’ leading tourist market.
What South Koreans search for when visiting the Philippines:
South Korean travellers are drawn to the Philippines for a specific combination of things: tropical beaches and island destinations, affordable luxury compared to Korean prices, a warm climate that is the polar opposite of Korean winters, and the general ease of travel in a country that welcomes Korean visitors with visa-free access and an enormous infrastructure of Korean restaurants, Korean-speaking guides, and Korean-friendly services built up over decades of heavy tourism.
South Korean tourists seeking authentic cultural interactions are increasingly drawn to urban experiences in Manila, which allow them to engage with local traditions and modern Filipino life during their stay. Cities like Manila, Cebu, and Clark, combined with islands such as Boracay and Bohol, create itineraries that mix culture, adventure, and relaxation.
Manila is almost always the entry and exit point for South Korean visitors — and an increasing number are spending serious time in the city rather than treating it as a transit hub. The restaurant scene, the nightlife in Poblacion, the weekend markets, and the Michelin-recognised dining in Makati are converting South Korean visitors who arrived expecting a quick stopover into guests who extend their stay.
Why Makati works for South Koreans: Makati’s restaurant scene includes an excellent range of Korean food — from barbecue to jjajangmyeon to Korean-style cafes — reflecting the decades of Korean visitor influence on the neighbourhood. The area is safe, clean, and professionally managed in a way that South Korean visitors who are accustomed to high urban standards immediately recognise and appreciate. Fast WiFi, pool access, and a central location for day trips to Intramuros, BGC, and the islands make Makati the obvious base.
#2 — United States: The High-Spending, Long-Staying Visitor
Americans are the second largest source market for Philippines tourism and, critically, among the highest-spending visitors the country receives. Receipts per arrival in the Philippines reached $1,631 — considerably higher than the Southeast Asian average of $1,085 — and the average length of stay was 11 nights in 2024.
What Americans search for when visiting the Philippines:
Americans visit the Philippines for a combination of cultural familiarity and lifestyle value that is unique to this destination. English is spoken everywhere. The dollar goes dramatically further than at home. The nightlife in Poblacion, Makati is genuinely world class at a fraction of US prices. The food scene is now Michelin-recognised. And the historical ties between the Philippines and the United States create a cultural warmth that Americans find nowhere else in Asia.
A significant portion of American visitors are also balikbayan — Filipino-Americans returning to visit family — and this group consistently chooses Manila as their base, with Makati being the preferred accommodation area for those who want comfort and convenience alongside their family visits.
Why Makati works for Americans: Everything Americans expect from a premium urban lifestyle is available in Makati at a price that feels almost impossible back home. A high-floor condo with pool, gym, fast WiFi, and a private balcony overlooking the city costs a fraction of a comparable hotel room in New York or Los Angeles. The bars in Poblacion serve excellent cocktails for $3 to $5. The Michelin-recognised restaurants run $15 to $30 for two. Americans who stay in Makati consistently describe the experience as one of the best value-for-quality decisions they have ever made while travelling.
#3 — Japan: The Detail-Oriented, Experience-Seeking Visitor
Japan saw the most substantial percentage growth among top source markets, with arrivals surging by nearly 30 percent to 321,913, placing it third among the Philippines’ top visitor nationalities.
What Japanese tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:
Japanese visitors are drawn to the Philippines for its natural beauty — the pristine diving in Palawan and Cebu, the white sand beaches of Boracay, and the rich marine environments that make the Philippines one of the world’s premier dive destinations. Japanese tourists also have high standards for cleanliness, service quality, and food — and Manila’s premium districts deliver on all three.
Japanese visitors are returning to explore the country’s pristine beaches, coral reefs, and natural attractions. Travel between Japan and the Philippines is growing fast.
Manila is the gateway for Japanese visitors en route to the islands — and an increasing number are discovering that Makati itself deserves serious time. The Japanese food scene in Makati is genuinely excellent. The cleanliness and professional management of buildings like The Gramercy Residences align with the standards Japanese visitors expect. And the walkability of the Greenbelt area reduces the transport friction that Japanese travellers, accustomed to excellent urban infrastructure at home, find frustrating about less-managed parts of Manila.
Why Makati works for Japanese visitors: Makati is the most organised and cleanest urban district in Metro Manila — which matters enormously to Japanese visitors who have high expectations for their environment. The area has excellent Japanese restaurants, clean and well-lit streets, professional building management, and fast dedicated WiFi. For Japanese travellers spending a night or two in Manila before or after island destinations, a Stay N Cee condo in Makati is the obvious base.
#4 — China: The Shopping, Dining, and Leisure Visitor
China experienced a strong rebound in Philippine tourism, recording a 25.46 percent increase with 280,301 visitors, reflecting the resurgence of travel from the mainland market.
What Chinese tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:
Chinese visitors to Manila are drawn by a specific set of attractions: the integrated resort and casino complex around Entertainment City in Pasay, the shopping in Makati and BGC, the food scene which includes excellent Chinese and Filipino-Chinese cuisine in Binondo — the world’s oldest Chinatown — and the general affordability of Manila compared to major Chinese cities.
Manila’s Entertainment City casinos — Okada Manila, Resorts World, and Solaire — are a major draw for Chinese visitors specifically, and the city has invested significantly in catering to this market. But the broader Chinese tourist profile in Manila has evolved significantly beyond casino tourism toward food, shopping, and lifestyle experiences.
Why Makati works for Chinese visitors: Makati is central to everything Chinese visitors want in Manila — Binondo is a 25-minute Grab ride, the shopping at Greenbelt and Glorietta is premium and familiar, and the restaurants cover Chinese cuisine alongside Filipino and international options. The professional management of Stay N Cee properties — with 24-hour security, clean facilities, and reliable fast WiFi — meets the quality standards Chinese visitors expect from premium accommodation.
#5 — Australia: The Adventure-Seeking, Lifestyle-Driven Visitor
Australia ranked fifth among the Philippines’ top source markets in the first half of 2025, with 188,082 arrivals — a strong and growing number that reflects the deep travel connection between the two countries.
What Australian tourists search for when visiting the Philippines:
Australians are among the most adventurous and lifestyle-conscious visitors the Philippines receives. They come for Siargao’s surf breaks, Palawan’s island hopping, Cebu’s diving, and — increasingly — Manila’s food and nightlife scene which Australians, accustomed to premium urban lifestyle at home, find excellent value and genuinely high quality.
The Philippines is one of the most popular short-haul international destinations for Australians — direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane to Manila are well-established, and the time zone proximity makes it practical for even short stays. Australian visitors tend to be confident, experienced travellers who know what they want and research their accommodation carefully before booking.
Why Makati works for Australians: Australians respond strongly to the combination of quality and value that Makati delivers. The pool culture at premium condo buildings — something Australians relate to deeply — the excellent food scene, the walkable neighbourhoods, and the genuine nightlife in Poblacion all connect with what Australian visitors look for in an urban stay. Australians who discover Makati through a Stay N Cee booking consistently extend their Manila portion of the trip once they experience the neighbourhood.
One Address That Works for All Five Nationalities: The Gramercy Residences, Makati
What all five of these nationalities have in common — despite their different motivations, preferences, and travel styles — is that they all benefit from the same things when choosing accommodation in Manila: a clean, well-managed building in a safe neighbourhood with fast WiFi, pool access, and proximity to the best the city has to offer.
The Gramercy Residences at Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati delivers all of it. A 73-floor iconic tower with a legendary Skypark on the 36th floor featuring multi-level infinity pools, a three-storey waterfall, a lagoon pool, full gym, spa, and the 71 Gramercy rooftop bar on the 71st floor. Walking distance to Poblacion’s nightlife. A short Grab to Greenbelt, Binondo, Intramuros, and BGC. Professional 24-hour security and management that meets the expectations of international visitors from Seoul, New York, Tokyo, Beijing, and Sydney alike.
This is why it is our top recommendation regardless of which country you are travelling from.
All Stay N Cee Properties — Where Every Nationality Feels at Home in Manila
All four Stay N Cee condos are in Makati — available on Airbnb and Booking.com for nightly and weekly stays, or contact us directly for monthly rates.
1. Condo with Pool — The Gramercy Residences ⭐ Top pick for all international visitors Century City, Kalayaan Avenue, Poblacion, Makati The flagship Stay N Cee property. 73 floors, Skypark multi-level infinity pools, gym, spa, 71st floor rooftop bar, 24hr concierge. Walking distance to Poblacion nightlife. The address that works for every nationality, every travel style, and every reason people visit Manila. Amenities: Multi-level pool · Gym · Spa · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning · Laundry · 24hr security · Rooftop bar 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-with-pool-in-makati-the-gramercy
2. 50F Sunset View — Fast WiFi, Pool, Own Balcony Makati CBD 50th floor with a private west-facing balcony and panoramic Manila Bay sunset views. Pool and full building amenities. Fast dedicated WiFi. Ideal for couples and solo visitors who want the best views in Makati every evening. Amenities: Private balcony · Pool · Fast WiFi · Panoramic sunset views · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/50f-sunset-view-fast-wifi-pool-own-balcony
3. Condo Living — Pool, Balcony, Gym, Fast WiFi Makati CBD Spacious and well-equipped. Pool, private balcony, gym, and fast WiFi. The right choice for visitors spending a week or longer in Manila who want proper space and comfort alongside a great location. Amenities: Balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi · Air conditioning 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/condo-living-pool-balcony-gym-fast-wifi
4. Stay in Makati — Cozy 1-BR, Gym, Pool, WiFi, Netflix Makati CBD The complete Manila setup for solo travellers and couples from any country. Private balcony, Netflix, gym, pool, and fast WiFi. Everything you need to feel genuinely at home in Manila from the first night. Amenities: 1-Bedroom · Netflix · Private balcony · Pool · Gym · Fast WiFi 👉 https://www.stayinmakati.com/room/stay-in-makati-cozy-1-br-gym-pool-wifi-netflix
Frequently Asked Questions
Which nationality visits the Philippines the most? South Korea is the Philippines’ largest tourist market, accounting for over a quarter of all international arrivals. The United States ranks second, followed by Japan, China, and Australia. Together these five nationalities represent the majority of all international tourism to the Philippines.
Why do South Koreans visit the Philippines so often? South Koreans are drawn to the Philippines for its tropical beaches and islands, affordable luxury compared to Korean prices, warm climate, visa-free access, and the extensive Korean-friendly tourism infrastructure that has developed over decades of heavy visitation. Manila is the primary entry point and an increasingly popular destination in its own right.
What is the best area in Manila for international tourists? Makati CBD is the best area for international visitors of all nationalities. It is the safest and most walkable district in Metro Manila, has the best restaurant scene including Michelin-recognised dining, excellent nightlife in Poblacion, clean and professionally managed residential towers, and easy access to every major Manila attraction and day trip destination.
Why should international visitors choose Stay N Cee in Makati? Stay N Cee manages four premium short term rental condos in Makati — all with pool, gym, and fast WiFi. The properties are managed to a consistent standard that meets the expectations of international visitors from South Korea, the US, Japan, China, and Australia. The Gramercy Residences at Century City is our flagship property and the top choice for any nationality visiting Manila in 2026.
How long do international visitors typically stay in the Philippines? The average length of stay for international visitors in the Philippines is 11 nights — nearly double the Southeast Asian average. The majority of visitors are repeat travellers who stay longer and spend more on each trip, making a well-managed condo rental a significantly better choice than a hotel for anything beyond a two-night stay.
Book Your Manila Stay With Stay N Cee
Whatever country you are travelling from — we will help you find the right condo for your dates, group size, and budget. Message us directly for the best rates on weekly and monthly stays.
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