The Department of Tourism (DOT) reaffirmed Monday its commitment to the safety and security of South Korean tourists, the country’s top source of international arrivals, amid continued efforts to boost visitor confidence and coordination with law enforcement agencies.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the government is treating the matter with “great seriousness” and is working closely with South Korean authorities and relevant local agencies to ensure the protection of foreign visitors.

“This is something that we take with great seriousness, in a sense that we have called on our fellow government agencies to really ensure that we come together to prioritize tourist safety for South Koreans and all tourists coming into the Philippines,” Frasco said.

In 2024, South Korea topped the Philippines' international tourism market, with over 1.57 million arrivals contributing approximately USD 2.3 billion to the economy.

Frasco said the DOT has proposed the formation of a National Task Force on Tourist Safety during a meeting with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 21, 2025.

The tourism chief also held a dialogue with the United Korean Community Association, Inc. (UKCA) last month, where she reiterated a zero-tolerance stance against crimes involving tourists.

“Any person who commits a crime against a tourist should be punished to the fullest extent of the law because the consequences are devastating. It does not just affect the victim; it affects the entire economy,” she said. “Millions of lives depend on tourism. Millions of people are affected by isolated incidents driven by intentions that are for themselves alone. So, for me, we should have zero tolerance for crimes against tourists.”

Frasco said the DOT continues to coordinate with the South Korean Embassy and the Departments of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Office of the President to bolster security for tourists.

“We have been in very close coordination with the Korean government, the chief of which is the Ambassador of Korea to the Philippines, to ensure that we work together to retain confidence among South Koreans in visiting the Philippines,” she said.

“We are also working very closely with the DILG, the PNP, as well as the Office of the President, in making sure that tourist safety continues to be a priority for the national government, in collaboration with our local government units,” she added.

The DOT’s internal efforts include expanding training programs under the Tourism-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP), which has trained 8,610 police officers. Additional initiatives include extending training to barangay tanods and intelligence networks in remote areas.

“Ang Department of Tourism ay patuloy sa ating pagbibigay ng trainings sa ating mga tourist police. We have trained over 8,000 already in destinations across the country and na-expand na rin natin ito sa pag-train ng ating mga barangay tanods and barangay intelligence network sa ating mga far-flung destinations,” Frasco said.

The PNP has so far activated 30 Tourist Police Units, 104 Tourist Police Assistance Centers, and 1,243 Tourist Assistance Desks nationwide.

Frasco also welcomed moves by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to enhance security, including proposals to install more tourist assistance desks and train officers in Korean.

“We are hopeful that the PNP can ensure that we add police personnel, especially in the destinations where our South Korean visitors frequent,” she said.

In addition to safety measures, the DOT continues to ramp up promotions in South Korea. Efforts include language-accessible services such as the 151-TOUR (151-8687) hotline, now staffed with Korean-speaking agents.

Recent campaigns include the appointment of South Korean actor and singer Seo In Guk as a tourism ambassador, as well as upcoming co-marketing initiatives, influencer familiarization tours, and ongoing promotions through the DOT’s showroom in Seoul and social media.