MANILA, Feb. 6 -- The Philippines posted the highest growth in terms of visa applications across Southeast Asia, indicating restored travel confidence among Filipinos, visa service firm VFS Global reported Tuesday.

In a briefing in Taguig, VFS Global head for Australasia Kaushik Ghosh said the volume of visa applications in 2023 surpassed the pre-pandemic level in 2019 by at least 35 percent.

"This healthy rise in visa applications from the Philippines last year indicates that travelers' confidence has been restored, and people are ready to explore their favorite global destinations again. We are confident that this positive travel momentum will sustain in 2024 as well," he said.

In Asia Pacific, Ghosh said the Philippines has the high...