24 November 2025, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez, received a courtesy call from eighty (80) tourism students and seven (7) faculty members of the John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University (Molo), Inc. on 13 November 2025 at the Sentro Rizal Hall. The group undertook a study visit and benchmarking program in Seoul from 10–13 November 2025 to enrich the university’s academic offerings and broaden the students’ global perspectives.

Ambassador-designate Fernandez welcomed the delegation and underscored that tourism is a key driver of national development, supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises across the country. She encouraged the students to draw lessons from the Republic of Korea’s technological innovations in hospitality, its advanced agricultural practices, and the global influence of K-culture. She also noted that strengthened tourism cooperation complements the broader partnership between the Philippines and the ROK in shipping, human resource development, and maritime engagement.

Tourism Attaché Dr. Erwin Balane briefed the group on the Department of Tourism’s initiatives to further boost promotions in the ROK, the Philippines’ top source of international visitors. He highlighted factors shaping outbound Korean travel, current marketing strategies and co-branding efforts, and the expansion of chartered flights to key Philippine destinations.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario emphasized the Philippines’ position as the world’s largest source of seafarers and the value of continuing maritime cooperation with the ROK. She encouraged the students to look into Korea’s sustainable tourism practices and consider applications relevant to Iloilo City and their future professions.

Alternate Cultural Officer Ms. Chariz Ballaran, speaking in Hiligaynon, reflected on her own experience as a tourism student and underscored the importance of educational tours in fostering cultural understanding.

The Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to supporting visiting academic and cultural delegations from the Philippines as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties with the Republic of Korea. END