Manila: Affordable cost of living, learning English language, tropical weather, business opportunities. These are some of the key reasons South Koreans visit the Philippines.
In 2023, South Koreans topped the list of foreign visitors to its Asian neighbour. The tourism industry in the Philippines is on a roll, experiencing a remarkable resurgence, surpassing targets.
Manila's Department of Tourism (DOT) reported over 5 million foreign arrivals by December 12, 2023 — exceeding the initial target of 4.8 million.
Visitor receipts
Foreign visitor receipts reached Php439.5 billion ($7.88 billion), showcasing a 95.85 per cent recovery from pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The industry's success was further highlighted by accolades at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2023, where the Philippines secured titles such as World's Leading Dive Destination and World’s Leading Beach Destination. The DOT introduced the new tourism branding, "Love the Philippines," emphasising the nation's diverse offerings.
Challenges
Despite challenges in key source markets like China and Japan, the focus on domestic travel contributed to the industry's resilience. Looking ahead to 2024, the DOT set a target of 7.7 million foreign visitors, acknowledging uncertainties in international markets.
The industry's performance has been lauded as "better than expected," with a notable increase in foreign investors recognizing the Philippines as a prime investment opportunity. The establishment of the Maharlika Fund and prioritization of strategic projects indicate a positive trajectory for the country's tourism sector in the coming years.
South Korea – 1,341,029
US – 836,694
Japan – 285,655
China – 252,171
Australia – 238,487.
Canada – 206,571
Taiwan – 186,140
UK – 141,516
Singapore – 140,633
Malaysia – 92,383
Source: Department of Tourism
Why many Koreans go or move to the Philippines
The Philippines has become an increasingly popular destination for Koreans due to its affordable cost of living, English language learning opportunities, tropical weather, and promising business prospects. Many South Koreans also fly to the Philippines to play golf.
The Philippines, particularly known for its attractive features such as warm climate, stunning beaches, and a lower cost of living compared to South Korea, has drawn Korean students pursuing English education and higher studies.
The affordability of Philippine schools, even reputed universities, adds to its appeal. Some Koreans choose the Philippines for tourism and retirement, while others explore business opportunities, notably the widespread presence of Samgyupsal restaurants.
Learning English in the Philippines is advantageous, given its status as the global business language, enhancing individuals' marketability.
In general, Koreans prefer island destinations like Boracay and Cebu because of the good reviews in terms of hospitality, and Clark (for golf).
Recovery, direct flights
The Philipine tourism industry supports over 5.35 million jobs, said the Tourism secretary.
Since the beginning of the year, the DOT has been pushing for the construction of more rest areas and roads leading to tourist destinations across the country.
To date, the DOT and its infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), have launched 10 tourist rest areas, with plans to build 18 more in 2024.
DOT’s collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways has also yielded 158 kilometers of tourism roads and an investment of at least Php16 billion in tourism roads for 2023.
Frasco said the country has likewise recovered nearly 80 percent of its pre-pandemic international incoming seat capacity.
Frasco had also been meeting with stakeholders to relay Manila’s support for direct flights, including with France, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
