A Quezon City lawmaker on Sunday expressed optimism that the country can expect a surge in South Korean tourists in the Philippines next year, undeterred by the recent short-lived martial law in the East Asian nation.

QC Representative Marvin Rillo — who is also the vice chair of the House tourism committee — said the robust recovery of the Philippine tourism sector in 2025 could lead to significant job creation in various industries.

“In fact, it is highly likely that in 2025, the number of South Korean visitors to the Philippines will surpass the pre-pandemic level of almost two million,” Rillo said, adding that South Korea has consistently been the Philippines’ top source of foreign tourists.

“Our sense is that South Koreans will continue to visit the Philippines in droves as long as they find it economically attractive to spend their holidays here,” Rillo said.

Data from the Department of Tourism showed that 1.4 million South Koreans visited the Philippines from January to November 2024, a 10.45 percent increase from the same period in 2023.

The Philippines welcomed a total of 4.9 million foreign tourists during the 11-month period, a 9.56 percent increase year-on-year.