Philippines Reassures South Korea on Tourist Safety and Air Connectivity at ASEAN Forum
In a significant bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu City, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco engaged with South Korean Vice Minister Kim Dae Hyun to address key tourism concerns and explore collaborative opportunities. The discussions, which took place on Thursday, January 29, 2026, centered on bolstering security efforts and expanding air links between the two countries, aiming to mitigate recent declines in Korean tourist arrivals.
Focus on Security and Air Connectivity
Secretary Frasco emphasized the Philippines' commitment to enhancing tourist safety, particularly in response to travel alerts issued for Philippine destinations due to isolated incidents. She conveyed the government's unwavering priority on the welfare of visitors, stating, "We express our government’s unequivocal position on prioritizing the safety and welfare of our tourists." This reassurance comes as the Philippines seeks to allay concerns among Korean travelers, who have historically shown strong affection for the country.
The meeting also highlighted Manila's eagerness to further expand air connectivity with South Korea, a move seen as crucial for revitalizing tourism flows. Both officials focused on addressing sector-specific issues, with security being a primary topic given its impact on visitor numbers.
Enhanced Security Initiatives
To demonstrate concrete actions, Frasco detailed the strengthened Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) program. This initiative includes providing law enforcers with Korean language classes, which has already increased security capacity in popular destinations such as Cebu, Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Bohol, and Clark. Additionally, the Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC) program complements these efforts by featuring a Korean-speaking agent to respond promptly to tourist needs.
Regional Collaboration and Economic Impact
Beyond bilateral talks, the ASEAN Tourism Forum saw broader regional agreements. On Friday, senior officials from the 11 ASEAN member states, along with Korea, Japan, and China, adopted a tourism action plan to jointly resolve challenges facing the region. Secretary Frasco, who chaired the ASEAN Plus Three Tourism Ministers' Meeting, underscored the importance of sustained partnerships with these key markets.
She noted that these countries play a significant role in supporting employment, sustaining tourism enterprises, and contributing to economic activity across ASEAN. "Their continued engagement underscores the importance of stability, predictability and confidence in travel conditions that are equally critical to sustained investment in tourism, infrastructure, services and human capital," Frasco added, highlighting the interconnectedness of tourism and regional economic growth.
The discussions in Cebu reflect ongoing efforts to strengthen tourism ties and address practical concerns, with the Philippines positioning itself as a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors, particularly from South Korea.
