South Korea is exploring the potential for granting five-day visa-free travel to Filipinos. The announcement got here after Taiwan waived visa requirements for tourists from the Philippines who wish to remain there for as much as 30 days as a part of a short lived policy that may take effect on June 1, 2017.
A report by ASEAN Travel shows that South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) is in talks with “relevant authorities” regarding a five-day visa-free stay in mainland Korea for Filipinos going to Jeju Island.
South Korea is popular amongst Filipinos for K-Pop and Korean movies.
Travel agency owner Aerianne Rivera said Filipinos often prefer to travel to visa-free countries to avoid complicated formalities.
“It will be more convenient for a guest to travel if he or she is truly covered by visa-free travel,” Rivera said.
She added that international destinations with low rates make them more attractive to Filipino tourists.
“It’s only a small difference in costs and you’ll be able to leave the country. That’s also included in what the status of an individual is like, ‘Oh, I could have left the country,'” Rivera said.
The Department of Tourism (DOT), nonetheless, shouldn’t be concerned about cheaper and more accessible international destinations, noting that since January 2017, almost 700,000 foreign tourists have visited the Philippines.
DOT Deputy Secretary Ricky Alegre said they’re confident of achieving the goal of 8 million tourists because the country will host the ASEAN summit this 12 months.
He also said that as a part of their efforts to draw more tourists from China, the Department of Justice, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs are considering granting Chinese tourists a 14-day visa on arrival.
“Thousands of visa applicants are queuing at our consulates in Beijing and Shanghai. We hope that the relaxation of visa regulations will be approved,” Alegre said.
He added that lower hotel prices and cheaper flights may even make the Philippines look more attractive to tourists.
“There is a better road network in the north and flights are affordable. Air connections have become very affordable,” Alegre said.
In 2016, the Philippines attracted 62 million local tourists.
Source : GMA Network
