Strengthening Tourism Cooperation Between Korea and the Philippines; Domestic Destination Gyeongju Also Popular
Recently, the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has been actively working to expand tourism exchange with the Philippines. The two countries discussed various cooperation measures to help more tourists visit each other's nations and to develop the tourism industry. This cooperation is expected to breathe new life into the tourism market, which has been recovering since COVID-19.
The Philippines is one of the representative countries that Koreans frequently visit for vacations and travel. Through this cooperation, Korean tourists will be provided with an environment where they can travel to the Philippines more safely and conveniently in the future. Additionally, customized tourism programs will be prepared so that Filipino tourists can experience the diverse charms of Korea.
In addition to overseas travel, the domestic tourism market is also showing significant growth. In particular, Gyeongju City in Gyeongsangbuk-do has established itself as a popular attraction for both domestic and international tourists. According to recent statistics, the number of domestic tourists visiting Gyeongju has surpassed 20.97 million, recording a high growth rate of approximately 7.1% compared to last year.
The reason Gyeongju is so popular is that traditional historical sites and modern culture are well-integrated. In addition to UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, places like 'Hwangridan-gil,' which is popular among the younger generation, are drawing visitors. Thanks to these changes, Gyeongju's status as a tourist destination is rising both domestically and internationally.
Experts predict that Korea's tourism industry will continue to grow through international cooperation and by strengthening the appeal of domestic tourist destinations. The government and related organizations plan to focus on attracting overseas tourists as well as developing various content for domestic travelers.