Needing an invitation usually applies to communist countries.

Hello Filipino, In case of "friends" they could send you an invitation that will help you obtain the visa. In case of "tourism" you can get your visa through a travel agency that will issue a limited visa for you to a specific destination inclusive in the package trip it offers. They usually state the price including (transfer, accommodation ,visa etc ).

I can only tell you from a business travel point of view. An invitation and visa are not the same. If I am applying for a visa in China for business travel to work in China, I must have a written invitation from the Chinese company I am doing the work for. So in my case, I need some sort of invitation from somebody in China before I can obtain the visa. I don't know exactly how this applies to tourism or friends. Anybody else?