Philippines and South Korea have taken a significant step towards strengthening their already robust tourism partnership, signing a new implementation program for their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tourism Cooperation.
This historic agreement, inked during South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s first state visit to the Philippines, signals a renewed commitment to fostering cultural exchanges and driving economic growth through tourism.
The signing ceremony, held at Malacañan Palace with both President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and President Yoon Suk-yeol in attendance, underscored the importance of this partnership for both nations.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and her counterpart, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, formally inked the agreement, setting the stage for a dynamic new chapter in tourism collaboration.
“The Department of Tourism welcomes the signing of the implementation program on tourism cooperation which will further enhance the longstanding relations between our two nations in tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” Secretary Frasco stated, highlighting the significance of this partnership. “We anticipate this will increase demand for more Philippine destinations and tourism products from our number one source market, South Korea, and provide more opportunities for the economic advancement of our people, with the expected growth in our tourism numbers.”
This ambitious agreement, building upon a previous MOU signed in 2006, will guide bilateral tourism cooperation for the next five years, from 2024 to 2029. The program aims to strengthen cooperation across a wide spectrum of areas, including:
- Sharing Expertise: Tourism professionals and administrators from both countries will collaborate to share best practices and knowledge, boosting mutual development and competency in areas such as hotels, resorts, cruises, ports, tourism products, and related industries.
- Promoting Safety: Both nations will work together to enhance tourism safety through information sharing, establishing joint contingency plans, and improving cooperation mechanisms.
- Boosting Marketing: Joint promotion and marketing initiatives will be undertaken to attract more tourists from both sides, driving growth in tourism numbers.
- Investing in Growth: Both countries will actively encourage tourism investment, creating new opportunities and bolstering the tourism sector in both nations.
South Korea has consistently been the top source market for international visitors to the Philippines, with 1,230,858 visitors arriving from Korea since January 2024, accounting for 27.16% of total foreign tourist arrivals.
This renewed implementation program aims to build upon this strong foundation, introducing new initiatives focused on sustainability, green technology, and the development of emerging tourism destinations across the Philippines.
“We look forward to further deepening our collaboration with South Korea in the coming years,” Secretary Frasco emphasized, expressing optimism about the future of the partnership. “This partnership will not only bolster tourism exchanges but also contribute to the economic development of both nations, ensuring that the Philippines and South Korea remain premier destinations for travelers seeking rich cultural experiences and world-class tourism offerings.
The DOT remains committed to fostering a resilient, sustainable, and innovative tourism sector that highlights the beauty, diversity, and hospitality that define the Philippines as a well-loved tourism destination.”
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