KOREAN tourists have reclaimed the top spot in terms of the total number of foreign visitors to the Philippines this year.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco announced this on Thursday, April 14, during the welcome reception at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for 1,400 Korean tourists visiting Cebu for the remainder of April.
Frasco told reporters that as of Thursday, the country has already logged 1.5 million foreign visitors, with Koreans accounting for the largest percentage.
In 2022, the United States claimed first place for having the most number of tourist visitors, with South Korea coming in second.
In 2019, 1.98 million Korean tourists arrived in the country and this was considered to be the largest number of foreign visitors.
“They are staying for a few days, and we fully expect that this will contribute greatly to the economy of Cebu in particular and to the rest of the country in general, so they will support our local tourism, stakeholders, and our small and medium enterprises,” Frasco said.
She added that the 1,400 Korean tourists are top agents and sellers of Unicity, a company network selling health-related products that were given travel incentive.
Frasco welcomed them to Cebu and the Philippines, describing it as the top beach and diving destination in the world.
The secretary emphasized that the welcome reception showed the warm hospitality of the Filipino people to their visitors.
Frasco was with Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard Chan and his wife, lone district Representative Cindi Chan, Tourism Undersecretary Shalimar Hofer Tamano, DOT-Central Visayas Director, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Julius Neri, and other delegates.
Mayor Chan told the reporters that the Lapu-Lapu City Government is pushing for the implementation of the reclamation project, which will accelerate the city’s economic development.
“It is high time nga we need to expand kay limited na ang atung lugar, so we are pushing for the reclamation,” Chan said.
Chan was thankful that the huge influx of visitors arrived in time for the 502nd celebration of "Kadaugan sa Mactan," which he said the tourists will enjoy.
“We are very thankful to Secretary Frasco nga gipili ang atung (for choosing) Lapu-Lapu City, which is safe to stay,” Chan said.
Frasco said the Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to promote the country to be a top Mice (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition) destination.
“We are seeing Mice tourist become a strong product for the Philippines and to the Cebu,” Garcia said.
Korean tourists have made Cebu one of their favorite travel destinations, and she has noticed a daily increase in foreign visitors. (EHP)