The Philippines has been named Asia’s Best Retirement Destination at the 11th TripZilla Excellence Awards, reinforcing its growing reputation as an ideal long-term home for retirees across the region. The recognition was welcomed by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a strong signal of the country’s rising global competitiveness in the retirement and long-stay market.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the accolade reflects increasing international confidence in the Philippines not only as a travel destination, but as a place where retirees can enjoy comfort, dignity, and a high quality of life.

“This award affirms what the global community increasingly sees: the Philippines is not only a beautiful place to visit, but also a place to call home,” Frasco said.

She emphasized that the country’s appeal goes beyond scenery, pointing to Filipino warmth, hospitality, and compassion as defining factors that make retirees feel welcomed and cared for.

“The warmth of our country transcends our destinations and is deeply rooted in our culture of care, hospitality, and compassion,” she added.

Frasco noted that the recognition also challenges the government and tourism stakeholders to continue improving world-class programs and services that protect the dignity, comfort, and well-being of retirees choosing to settle in the Philippines.

A key driver of the country’s strong standing is the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) in coordination with the DOT. Earlier this year, both agencies met to further strengthen the program, which remains one of the country’s flagship incentives for foreign retirees and returning overseas Filipinos.

According to the PRA, the Philippines is now home to more than 83,000 SRRV holders, reflecting steady growth in the retirement sector. This expansion is supported by the agency’s “We Care” campaign, which promotes service quality, safety, and retiree welfare to capture a larger share of the global retirement market.

Affordability continues to be one of the Philippines’ strongest advantages. Living costs allow pensions and retirement savings to stretch further, with relatively low expenses for housing, food, transportation, and services. Industry estimates suggest that about USD 1,000 per month can support a comfortable lifestyle in retirement-friendly areas such as Cebu, Iloilo, Davao, Dumaguete, Albay, and Sorsogon—while still offering access to beaches, nature, and modern amenities.

Ease of communication also plays a major role, with English widely spoken in healthcare facilities, government offices, and daily life. Established expatriate communities in major cities further help retirees integrate smoothly into local society.

Healthcare remains another major draw. Urban centers including Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao are home to modern medical facilities staffed by internationally trained doctors, offering quality care at significantly lower costs than in the United States and Europe. Affordable private health insurance and HMOs such as Intellicare, Maxicare, MediCard, PhilCare, and iCare provide added security for ageing expatriates.

Unlike many destinations that focus primarily on younger travelers, the Philippines actively welcomes retirees—reflecting Filipino values that place deep respect on parents and the elderly. This culture of genuine care has helped position the country as a retirement destination where foreigners are not merely visitors, but members of a community they can truly call home.

— Via TPNC Global Newsdesk