SOUTH Korean nationals remained the Philippines’ biggest source of arrivals in 2024, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
The BI yesterday said a total of 1,761,281 South Koreans visited the Philippines last year.
“The Philippines continues to be a preferred destination for South Koreans, not only because of our natural attractions but also for our thriving English language programs, which are especially popular among families with young learners during school holidays,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.
The BI also said that recent moves by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to increase security for foreign visitors in the country helped in boosting the tourist arrival numbers.
“As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has underscored, tourism is a vital pillar of our economic recovery and sustained growth. The BI stands in solidarity with the DOT in ensuring that our borders are safe, secure, and welcoming to our international guests,” Viado said.
BI also said that they are now working with DOT, foreign embassies, and relevant law enforcement agencies to further strengthen the country’s security for tourists.
“We have maintained strong cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and law enforcement counterparts, especially in intelligence-sharing, monitoring of transnational crimes, and rapid response to incidents involving Korean nationals. This collaborative approach strengthens confidence and promotes mutual protection,” he added.
Last week, the DOT reaffirmed its strong commitment to ensuring the safety and security of South Korean tourists.
“This is something we take very seriously. We have called on our fellow government agencies to work collaboratively and make tourist safety, particularly for South Koreans and all international visitors, a top priority,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.
Frasco has proposed the creation of a National Task Force on Tourist Safety, following a high-level meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 21.
In a separate meeting last month with the United Korean Community Association, Inc., led by its president Man Yeong Youn, Frasco emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward crimes against tourists.
“Any person who commits a crime against a tourist should be punished to the fullest extent of the law because the consequences are devastating. It does not just affect the victim, it affects the entire economy,” she said.
She added: “We’ve been in close coordination with the Korean government, led by the Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines, to ensure we work together in retaining the confidence of South Korean tourists.” (GMA Integrated News/Philippine News Agency)
