South Korean Arrivals Fall Sharply in 2025
The Philippines has stepped up efforts to reassure South Korea that the country remains a safe destination for tourists, following a sharp decline in arrivals from its largest foreign market last year.
In 2025, South Korean visitor numbers dropped by 18.49 percent year-on-year, falling to 1.34 million arrivals. Despite the decline, South Korea still accounted for 20.76 percent of total foreign visitors, underlining its continued importance to the Philippine tourism sector.
Tourism Leaders Emphasise Visitor Protection
Against this backdrop, Philippine Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco met with South Korean Tourism Vice Minister Kim Dae Hyen to reinforce the government’s commitment to visitor safety and welfare. During the meeting, Frasco stressed that protecting tourists remains a top priority for the Department of Tourism (DOT).
She confirmed that the Philippines has increased the deployment of security personnel, with a focus on major tourist hubs including Cebu, Clark, Boracay, Palawan, Davao, and Bohol. These measures aim to strengthen on-the-ground visibility and provide faster responses to potential incidents involving foreign visitors.
Enhanced Police Programs and Language Support
In addition, the government has expanded its Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) programme. As part of this initiative, law enforcement officers are now receiving Korean language training, helping to improve communication with South Korean tourists and enhance overall visitor support.
These improvements are designed not only to boost safety but also to rebuild confidence among Korean travellers following travel advisories linked to what officials described as isolated incidents.
Air Connectivity and Regional Tourism Strategy
Meanwhile, discussions between the two countries also focused on expanding air connectivity, both bilaterally and across the wider ASEAN region. This comes as the Philippines looks to stimulate inbound travel and strengthen its role as a regional tourism hub.
Frasco raised concerns over travel alerts affecting Philippine destinations, noting that such advisories can have a disproportionate impact on traveller confidence, even when incidents are isolated.
ASEAN Tourism Plan Supports Long-Term Growth
The talks took place on the sidelines of the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers Meeting, which includes South Korea, China, and Japan. During the event, officials launched the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan (ATSP) 2026–2030, aimed at promoting Southeast Asia as a single, high-quality tourism destination.
Frasco highlighted that the plan places strong emphasis on regional integration, positioning ASEAN as a seamless travel market while supporting long-term investment in tourism infrastructure and services.
Tourism’s Economic Importance Remains Strong
Despite recent challenges, tourism continues to play a critical role in the Philippine economy. According to the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council Economic Impact Report, travel and tourism contributed $91.8 billion to the economy last year—nearly 20 percent of GDP. The sector also supports 11.2 million jobs, representing 23 percent of total national employment.
Together, these figures underscore why restoring confidence among South Korean visitors remains a strategic priority for the Philippines as it works to stabilise arrivals and sustain long-term tourism growth.
