The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday renewed its firm commitment to protecting South Korean tourists, the Philippines’ largest source of international visitors in 2024.
“This is something we take very seriously,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “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.”
South Korea topped tourist arrivals this year with 1.57 million visitors, contributing around USD 2.3 billion to the Philippine economy.
In response, Frasco proposed the formation of a National Task Force on Tourist Safety during a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 21. She also reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against crimes targeting 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,” Frasco stressed in a separate dialogue with the United Korean Community Association.
To strengthen safety measures, the DOT has implemented its Tourism-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program, training more than 8,610 police officers. The initiative has expanded to include barangay safety officers and intelligence efforts in remote areas.
Additional steps include:
- Activation of 30 Tourist Police Units
- Establishment of 104 Tourist Police Assistance Centers
- Creation of 1,243 Tourist Assistance Desks nationwide
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission has also proposed new initiatives such as deploying Korean-speaking police personnel and improving tourist help services.
The DOT’s Tourist Assistance Call Center (151-TOUR) now includes Korean-speaking agents to enhance communication and service.
Meanwhile, the DOT’s Korea Office is preparing co-marketing campaigns with airlines and agencies, influencer tours, and promotional efforts through a showroom in Seoul and digital platforms.
Frasco emphasized that all these efforts aim to strengthen the confidence of South Korean tourists and ensure their safety during their stay in the Philippines.