Daily TribuneAnd with its expansion announced by the DoT this month, the tourist hotline onboarded Korean-speaking support, reflecting the Department’s commitment to enhancing service for travelers from South Korea, the country’s largest source of inbound tourists.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF DOT
korean speaking agents of the Department of Tourism’s Tourist Assistance Call Center program are ready to assist vacationers.
With Koreans being the largest group of tourists regularly visiting the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DoT) has taken steps to better serve them by hiring Korean-speaking call center agents for its expanded Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC).
A flagship program under Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, the TACC serves as a hotline and one-stop shop for both local and foreign tourists.
It provides tourism and travel-related information and offers assistance in case of any untoward incidents during their visit.
And with its expansion announced by the DoT this month, the tourist hotline onboarded Korean-speaking support, reflecting the Department’s commitment to enhancing service for travelers from South Korea, the country’s largest source of inbound tourists.
Inquiring travelers can now receive direct assistance from a dedicated Korean-speaking agent available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time).
“As South Korea continues to be our top inbound market, this initiative ensures that Korean travelers can easily access assistance, allowing them to fully enjoy the warmth, hospitality, and attractions that make the Philippines a destination to love,” Frasco said. “In alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a digitally empowered government, the DoT is dedicated to improving its platforms to deliver accessible, efficient and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international.”
The TACC expansion further aligns with the government’s broader goal of digitizing public services, promoting a seamless, responsive and tech-driven approach to tourist assistance.
To date, the program has facilitated over 13,502 transactions as of 30 January 2025, servicing tourists from 71 different nationalities, with the Philippines, the United States and Australia being the most represented.
Common inquiries include general tourism questions, travel and tour services, DoT accreditation, and career opportunities.
The TACC was recognized as one of Asia’s premier customer support platforms, and was recently awarded “Best in Service — Customer Support (Regional Level)’ award at the prestigious Asia Best of Best Awards 2024 at Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai UAE.
In its ongoing commitment to tourist convenience and inclusivity, “the DoT is working to expand multilingual support services including Mandarin and other languages for a more diverse range of travelers. We understand the role of language accessibility in creating a smooth and enjoyable travel experience,” Secretary Frasco added.
South Korean visitors who visited the country in 2024 represented an 8.1 percent increase from 1,455,977 arrivals in 2023 to 1,574,152, also a 2.5 percent growth compared to the 1,539,402 arrivals in 2019.
The huge Korean arrivals demonstrated a complete recovery that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
South Korea remains the Philippines’ largest source of foreign visitors, capturing over 26.46 percent of the total tourist arrivals.
For seamless and responsive assistance, tourists can contact the TACC through various platforms.
The DoT emphasizes the updated mobile hotline at +63 954-253-3215, ensuring a more efficient communication channel for travelers.
Additionally, landline users can reach the center via 151-TOUR (151-8687), while inquiries can also be sent via email at touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph. For real-time assistance, travelers may connect through Facebook Messenger at the Department of Tourism — Philippines or utilize the Click2Call and Live Webchat services available on beta.tourism.gov.ph.
