PH TOURISM SECRETARY CHRISTINA G. FRASCO BRINGS "LOVE THE PHILIPPINES" CAMPAIGN TO PH'S TOP TOURISM MARKET IN KOREA

During her visit, Secretary Frasco met with Korea's Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yu In Chon. The Ministers discussed continuing Philippines-Korea cooperation under the PH-ROK MOU on Tourism Cooperation. Secretary Frasco likewise expressed appreciation to Korea for being the top source of international visitors to the Philippines. She also shared with Minister Yu the ongoing initiatives of the government to make travel to the Philippines more seamless and more enjoyable. Secretary Frasco conveyed an invitation to Minister Yu to attend the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (36th CAP-CSA) and the First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific to be held from 26-28 June 2024 in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco with House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Vincent Franco D. Frasco graced the opening ceremony of the Seoul International Travel Fairs (SITF) and joined Ministers and other senior officials from participating countries in a "Gimbap rolling" (traditional Korean rice and seaweed roll) to mark the opening of the SITF on 9 May 2024. Secretary Frasco also visited the Philippine Tourism Pavilion at the SITF as well as a special pavilion of Coron, Palawan.

SOT Frasco delivered a featured presentation and talk at the World Tourism Industry Conference (WTIC) likewise held on 09 May. She spoke on the global tourism recovery outlook, the current state of Philippine tourism and the recovery from the pandemic era, and the rising importance of gastronomy tourism not only regionally but globally. She likewise extended an invitation to all the participants to the forthcoming UN Tourism Regional Forum in Cebu.

Secretary Frasco likewise conducted a briefing for key media partners of the Philippines and a listening and consultative session with partners in the travel and tourism sector of Korea including major airline companies, travel operators, and travel associations in Korea.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DOT Undersecretary-OIC Esmeralda Buensuceso, Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno, and DOT Director in Korea Maria Corazon Jorda-Apo assisted Secretary Frasco in her engagements.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed a total of 1,439,336 arrivals from South Korea or a total of 26.50% of the Philippines' overall tourist market share. END