'Diversity is the Philippines' charm'
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Benito Bengzon, undersecretary of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the 32nd Korea World Travel Fair at the COEX in southern Seoul, Friday. / Courtesy of Route & Global Com
By Kim Bo-eun
Southeast Asia is a popular vacation destination for Koreans, due to its proximity and relatively low cost.
The Philippines is one of the favored choices _ 1.4 million Koreans visited the country last year, accounting for 25 percent of all tourists to the island state.
What differentiates the Philippines from other neighboring countries is the diversity it has to offer, according to Benito Bengzon, undersecretary of the Philippines’ Department of Tourism.
“The country consists of thousands of islands _ so for a resort experience you can go to Boracay; if you like mountains, Davao; and to see its colonial heritage and Spanish houses, Iloilo,” Bengzon said in an interview with The Korea Times in Seoul, Friday.
He was here as head of the Philippines’ delegation to the 32nd Korea World Travel Fair (KOFTA) held Thursday through Sunday at the COEX in southern Seoul.
Bengzon said the country also boasts geological diversity.
“In Bohol, you have limestone cliffs which turn brown in the summer, in Davao primary forests with big trees and in Ilocos sand dunes seen in desert areas,” he said.
With greater air connectivity within the Philippines, tourists are able to visit several of these attractions on one trip, Bengzon added. The Philippines has the highest low-cost carrier penetration rate in the world.
Meanwhile, for Korean parents, the Philippines is also a destination for ESL programs.
“We not only offer value for money _ another advantage is that Filipinos are able to teach English from the perspective of a non-native speaker,” Bengzon said.
English is an official language in the Philippines along with Tagalog, but Filipinos learn their native language first and then learn English when they begin institutionalized education.
However, concerns have grown over safety risks, due to recent shooting incidents. An incident in a Manila casino Friday left 36 people dead.
With regards to the issue, Bengzon said “We are committed to make sure that we remain a peaceful and stable destination. Security measures will be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.”
“We have always regarded Korea as a strong, reliable partner and in tourism we would like to work more closely and strengthen our relationship,” he said.
KOFTA is Korea’s largest travel fair, in which around 500 institutions and businesses from 60 countries take part each year.