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SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

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PHILIPPINE TOURISM SECTOR DISCUSS STREAMLINING TRAVEL SERVICES FOR KOREAN TOURISTS AND HOP-ON HOP-OFF TRAVEL BY THE HUBS INITIATIVE

23 July 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul pushed for streamlining of travel services for the benefit of South Korean tourists bound for the Philippines during a meeting with the Department of Tourism-National Capital Region (DOT-NCR) led by Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin and Philippine government officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Immigration (BI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), and private sector representatives from the travel operator and tourism marketing sector.

The group visited the Republic of Korea from 17 to 19 June 2024 to conduct a transit tour benchmarking activity in line with the Department of Tourism's Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Travel by the Hubs Initiative. The DOT project was launched in 2023 with Manila as a pilot hub and is currently being expanded to Makati, Taguig, Quezon City and other cities to highlight the major tourist destinations within Metro Manila, and later on to Cebu and other major transit points in the country.

On 17 June 2024, Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel Jr. joined by Tourism Director Ma. Corazon Jorda-Apo, welcomed the delegation for a courtesy visit at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. During the meeting, the officials briefed the Embassy on the current tourism promotion efforts as well as immigration and customs updates and policies in the Philippines.

The Embassy took the opportunity to raise the need to streamline processes for customs and immigration for tourists to ensure that Korean travelers have a pleasant and seamless experience from their arrival to departure from the Philippines. South Korean inbound tourist arrivals currently dominate the Philippine tourism market share at 25.99% as of June 2024.

The BI and BOC also agreed to collaborate with the Embassy for a town hall with the Filipino community in Korea to better educate OFWs/OFs, including those with Korean families, about travelers' or air passengers' rights and obligations and update them on any new developments and regulations. The town hall will also be an opportunity to raise questions and suggestions based on their travel experiences.

The Philippine Embassy continues to work with the Philippine tourism sector to ensure seamless travel and improved tourism services in the Philippines. END

Other News

June 12, 2026
PHILIPPINES AND KOREA FOSTER ENDURING FRIENDSHIP THROUGH ARTISTIC COLLABORATION

Seoul, 3 – 8 June 2026 – In celebration of the 128th anniversary of the commemoration of Philippine Independence and the 77th year of the establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul in partnership with Grida K Pop Art Inc. led by its Founder, Ms. Hee Jung “Julie” Kim, organized a series of simultaneous art exhibitions in Jung-gu, Insa-dong, and Gangnam, showcasing the enduring friendship between the Philippines and Korea through artistic expression.

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June 12, 2026
PHILIPPINES SPOTLIGHTS PRISTINE NATURAL WONDERS AT SEOUL INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FAIR

Seoul, 04 June 2026 – The Tourism Promotions Board - Philippines (TPB PHL) and the Philippine Department of Tourism-Korea Office (PDOT-Korea) led the Philippines participation in the 41st Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) held from 4-7 June 2026 at the Convention and Exhibition Center (COEX) Seoul, Republic of Korea. DOT in partnership with Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, Radisson Hotel Group, Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark, Marriott International Philippines, Nustar Resort & Casino, and Pinatubo Mountainero Travel and Tours mounted the Philippine booth at the 41st SITF showcasing the Philippines dynamic culture, pristine nature, and premium resort destinations to domestic travelers and industry professionals. In addition, the Puerto Princesa City Government conducted a product presentation promoting Palawan to Korean travelers. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, H.E. Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez attended the opening ceremony of the 41st SITF on 04 June 2026. Ambassador Fernandez visited the Philippine booth and expressed the Embassy’s full support to the Philippine delegation emphasizing that “The event serves as a meaningful opportunity to directly showcase the diverse and rich charms of the Philippines to Korean travelers, with whom the Philippines has maintained a close and long-standing partnership.” The Philippine pavilion drew crowd attention as participating companies hosted special presentations with highly coveted prizes including complimentary luxury hotel accommodation vouchers and round-trip airline tickets given to lucky winners. Since 1986, the SITF has grown into Korea’s leading international travel fair, becoming an important avenue for exchange and cooperation within the global tourism industry. Along with Korea’s regional destinations, there are over 300 organizations and businesses from 40 countries participating at this year’s edition of the SITF. For the Philippines, the ROK remains as one of the most vital and valued tourism markets and its participation in major travel and tourism exhibitions such as the SITF will further intensify initiatives to attract Korean travelers to visit the Philippines. END

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June 11, 2026
MWO-OWWA HOLDS ON-THE-SPOT SLOGAN AND POSTER MAKING CONTESTS FOR 31ST MIGRANT WORKERS DAY

Seoul, 7 June 2026 - As part of the pre-celebration activities for the 31st Migrant Workers Day, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), successfully conducted the On-the-Spot Slogan Making Contest and On-the-Spot Poster Making Contest on 7 June 2026 at Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy in Seoul. Six participants competed in the slogan-making contest, while ten participants showcased their artistic talents in the poster-making contest. The contestants consisted of EPS Workers, Caregivers, and Professors all coming from different parts of Korea like Seoul, Gimpo, Hwaseong, Ansan, and Paju. The program also featured the special Migrant Workers Day messages of Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, who recognized the invaluable contributions of OFWs and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to their welfare and protection.

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