The Korea Travel Fiesta 2023 in the Philippines, held from Sept. 2 and 3, drew hundreds of people as it offered travel deals and showcased Korean tourism and culture.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa opened the Korea Travel Fiesta 2023 on Sept. 2 in Glorietta in Makati.
Joining him were K-pop idol and actor Park Ji-hoon as special guest, Filipino actress and Korea tourism honorary ambassador Kyline Alcatara, Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Senior Vice President James Lee, Director Kim Myeongjin of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines, and KTO Director Kim Hyungjoon.
Opening the Korea Travel Fiesta 2023 on Sept. 2 in Glorietta in Makati are (from left) Director Kim Myeongjin of the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines, K-pop idol and actor Park Ji-hoon , Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Senior Vice President James Lee, Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, Filipino actress and Korea tourism honorary ambassador Kyline Alcatara and KTO Director Kim Hyungjoon (Jonathan Hicap)
Philippine Tourism Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan (Jonathan Hicap)
Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Senior Vice President James Lee (Jonathan Hicap)
Ambassador Lee, Park Ji-hoon and Alcantara urged Filipinos to visit South Korea.
With travel back to normal and the opening of the Korea Visa Application Center (KVAC) Manila last Aug. 31, now is the perfect time to travel to South Korea especially with the coming winter season from December to February.
Ambassador Lee: Seize the moment
“Coming on the heels of the opening of the Korea Visa Center two days ago, this event showcases the genuine efforts of the Korean government to enhance the travel experience of Filipino friends to Korea,” Ambassador Lee said.
Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa (Jonathan Hicap)
He said the Korea Travel Fiesta “aligns well with the ‘Visit Korea Year’ our government has designated for years 2023 and 2024” that encourages people to visit South Korea.
Koreans, Lee said, “hold the number one rank among inbound tourists to the Philippines. Before the pandemic, it accounted for 24 percent of foreign visitors, totalling nearly two million people in 2019.”
“I am not surprised because the Philippines has a number of world-class tourist destinations like Boracay, El Nido in Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Davao just to name a few,” he said.
Lee said with the easing of travel after the pandemic, people are embarking on “revenge travel” or travel to make up for lost time due to the pandemic, and it is expected that tourism will return to the pre-pandemic levels.
“So we need to seize this moment,” the ambassador added.
Among ASEAN countries, the Philippines ranks third with the most visitors to South Korea.
Before his stint in the Philippines, Lee served as Korean ambassador to Myanmar.
“Myanmar, like the Philippines, is a tropical country. As you know, so people cannot enjoy snow and winter activities. Many of the Burmese people I met were already immersed into K-pop and K-drama. But they truly yearn to experience Korean winter that they could only (see) through watching Korean TV programs,” he said.
He added, “With more than 30 daily direct flights to Korea, we are well-positioned to increase the number of Filipino tourists to Korea in the coming winter season. In this context, I am pleased that this Fiesta will provide you with a perfect preview of what Korea can offer.”
In Korea, Filipino tourists can enjoy winter activities like skiing, snowboarding and even ice fishing.
More Filipinos want to go to South Korea to experience the winter season and see snow.
Winter in Seoul, South Korea last December (Jonathan Hicap)
Park Ji-hoon’s winter in Korea
Park Ji-hoon is embarking on his solo career as a singer and actor after being in the K-pop boy band Wanna One.
He starred in the drama “Weak Hero Class 1” last year for which he won best new actor in the Blue Dragon Series Awards.
In March 2019, Park Ji-hoon held his “First Edition” Asia Fan Meeting in Manila.
“I greatly remember the last time I came here but all I can strongly remember is the feeling that I really wanna come back here again,” he said.
K-pop idol and actor Park Ji-hoon at the Korea Travel Fiestat 2023 on Sept. 2 in Glorietta in Makati (Jonathan Hicap)
Park Ji-hoon said he wants to visit Cebu in the Philippines. He previously said he wanted to go Boracay “but nowadays I’m scuba diving so I want to go to Cebu.”
About his career as an actor, he said, “Right now in my acting career, I want to explore different roles and different characters.”
He said in his next acting project, “it will be different character from my previous drama ‘Weak Hero Class 1.’”
“And you will get to see the more raw side of Park Ji-hoon. The real me,” he said.
Park Ji-hoon also discussed how he spends the winter season in Korea.
“During winter, I usually go to the ski resort the most,” he said. In addition, he also likes to go on a snowy winter forest trip since “I also really love to see the nature so I also want to go to the winter trees.”
He also said during winter, he loves to eat ramyeon, or instant noodles, and drink iced Americano despite the cold weather.
He said he is “very spontaneous with his trips” instead of planning them.
During the event, Park Ji-hoon performed “Lost,” “Rollin” and “Tomorrow.”
K-pop idol and actor Park Ji-hoon at the Korea Travel Fiestat 2023 on Sept. 2 in Glorietta in Makati (Jonathan Hicap)
Alcantara: Visit Korea
Alcantara said her favorite thing about Korea is the culture.
“Yung mga tao po sa Korea. Kasi ang babait nila. And, of course, yung mga tourist destinations, yun talaga yung pinaka-gustong-gusto ko kasi, alam ninyo po ba, nung una ang sabi ko, parang ganito ba talaga sa Korea yung katulad sa mga K-drama? Pagpunta ko dun, ganun na ganon talaga. Kaya mga bes, kailangan ninyong pumunta lahat sa Korea (The people in Korea. They are so kind. And, of course, the tourist destinations, those are really my favorite. Do you know, the first time I said, is it really like this in Korea like in K-dramas? When I went there, it really was the same. That is why you all need to go to Korea),” she said.
Filipino actress and Korea tourism honorary ambassador Kyline Alcatara (Jonathan Hicap)
For tourists, she recommended visiting the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower, which has been featured countless times in Korean dramas and movies. The tower offers a stunning view of Seoul and has photo zones.
Couples can put their love locks at a section of the tower.
“Kasi po ako meron ako doon (I have mine there),” said Alcantara.
The event also had the Welcome Daehakro 2023 performance teams, Jump and Doodle Pop.
Korea Travel Fiesta
The Korea Travel Fiesta featured different booths and activities.
In addition, the Welcome Daehakro 2023 performance teams, Jump and Doodle Pop, are set to showcase their talents.
Airlines and travel agencies offered deals through BPI credit and debit cards. Photo zones were set up where visitors can take their pictures.
There were the hanbok (Korean traditional dress) experience booth, and paeng-i chigi (top spinning) making booth.
Snowboard and winter ski VR zones were also set up in addition to the winter exhibit.
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2023 was hosted by the KTO Manila office together with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines and the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC).
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2023 on Sept. 2 in Glorietta in Makati (Jonathan Hicap)