Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco’s Meeting with South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Minister Yu In Chon
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco recently met with South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) Minister Yu In Chon in Seoul. The meeting took place ahead of the Seoul International Travel Fair (SITF) and aimed to strengthen the longstanding partnership between Filipinos and Koreans in the area of tourism exchange.
A Cherished and Appreciated Partnership
During the meeting, Secretary Frasco expressed her gratitude for the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and South Korea. This year marks the 75th anniversary of their partnership, and the government deeply cherishes and appreciates the bond they have built over the years.
Secretary Frasco highlighted the importance of Korean visitors to the Philippines, as they are the country’s number one source market for tourism. In 2023 alone, over 1,450,857 Koreans visited the Philippines. The Secretary acknowledged the value of these visitors and thanked the Koreans for their interest in exploring the beauty and culture of the Philippines.
Koreans’ Love for the Philippines
Koreans have long been drawn to the Philippines as a vacation destination. In 2019, they accounted for 1,982,322 arrivals, making up 24.08 percent of the total tourist influx in the country. Minister Yu also shared his personal experience visiting the Philippines during his first term as MCST Minister, highlighting the popularity of the country among Korean travelers.
Advancing Mutual Tourism Development
Both Secretary Frasco and Minister Yu expressed their strong desire to further enhance tourism development between the Philippines and South Korea. As a testament to their commitment, they proposed the signing of a new implementation program of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on tourism cooperation for the period 2024-2029.
This new MOU will not only strengthen the existing partnership but also pave the way for new collaborations between the two countries in various related sectors, including culture and sports. It signifies a shared vision to create more opportunities for cultural exchange and mutual growth.
Conclusion
The meeting between Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and South Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Minister Yu In Chon is a testament to the strong and enduring partnership between the Philippines and South Korea in the field of tourism. Both officials expressed their commitment to further strengthen this bond and promote mutual tourism development.
With the proposed signing of a new implementation program of the MOU on tourism cooperation, the two countries are poised to deepen their collaboration not only in tourism but also in other related sectors such as culture and sports. This partnership will undoubtedly bring about more opportunities for cultural exchange and contribute to the growth and development of both nations.
Source: The Manila Times