Issues on tourism promotions, policies and national branding were discussed during at a one-day forum on December 11 at The Intercontinental Hotel, with panelists from the government, academe and media sharing their inputs on crucial tourism topics.

The forum, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea and the Ateneo Initiative for Korean Studies (AIKS) was aimed at zeroing in on the potentials of the tourism industry of both the Philippines and Korea as each other’s market. In 2013, Korea contributed to the largest tourist arrivals in the Philippines by nationality.

“Korea is actively pursuing development in tourism industry as this is the centerpiece of its growth. A two-way tourism is strategically important in economy as it generates employment and helps stimulate cooperation between two governments and private sectors,” Ambassador Hyuk Lee said in his welcome address.

Members of the academe, media and the government took part in the partnership forum. The first panel focused on analyzing the tourism policies and promotion strategies of the Philippines and Korea. The presenters were Daniel Corpuz, Undersecretary for Tourism, Planning and Promotions of the Department of Tourism and Sangyong Zhu, director of the Korea Tourism Organization Manila.

The discussion for the second panel zeroed in on the problems and prospects of the Philippines-Korea ties in tourism. Alexander Lao, vice president for Commercial Planning and External Affairs of Cebu Pacific Air, discussed the emerging opportunities and challenges of the influx of Korean tourists in the country. Koreans comprised the biggest number of tourists by nationality with close to a million visiting the Philippines last year. Professor Reil Cruz from the Asian Institute of Tourism of the University of the Philippines—Diliman, on the other hand, tackled the future of the sustainable partnership in tourism.

The other panelists and discussants included Cherry Lyn Rodolfo, a professor from the University of Asia and the Pacific, Isabel de Leon, lifestyle editor of The Manila Bulletin and Sangwoo Noh, Philippine regional manager of Asiana Airlines for the first panel. Also included in the second panel of discussants were Eun Gap Chang, president of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Pamela Samaniego, team manager of Team Korea from the Department of Tourism and Doreen Yu, editor of Starweek Magazine.

For more details, contact the Korean Cultural Center at 555-1711 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . You may also visit koreanculture.ph.