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Visa-free to South Korea for Filipinos?

Visa-free to South Korea for Filipinos?


South Korea is studying the possibility of giving five-day visa-free access to Filipinos. The announcement came after Taiwan waived visa requirements for Filipino tourists looking to stay there for up to 30 days under a temporary policy that will start on June 1, 2017.

A report on ASEAN Travel said South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) is in discussion with "relevant authorities" regarding a five-day visa-free stay in mainland Korea for Filipinos going to Jeju Island.

South Korea is popular among Filipinos for its K-Pop and Koreanovelas.

Travel agency owner Aerianne Rivera said Filipinos often prefer to go to countries without visa requirements to avoid dealing with complicated paperwork.

"Mas magiging comfortable sa guest na mag-travel if visa-free na nga talaga siya," Rivera said.

She added that international destinations with low rates make them more attractive to Filipino tourists.

"Konting difference lang sa gastos at makakalabas na sila ng bansa. Kasama na rin yan sa ano yan, sa status ng tao na parang ah, nakalabas ako ng bansa," Rivera said.

The Department of Tourism (DOT), meanwhile, is not worried about cheaper and more accessible international destinations for tourists, noting that since January 2017, the Philippines has has already received almost 700,000 foreign tourists.

DOT Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre said they are confident they can meet the 8-million tourist target since the country will host the ASEAN Summit this year.

He also said as part of their efforts to court more tourists from China, the DOT, the Department of Justice, the Bureau of Immigration, and the Department of Foreign Affairs are mulling giving Chinese tourists a 14-day visa upon arrival set-up.

"Thousands of visa applicants line up in our consulate in Beijing and in Shanghai. We're hoping that the easing on visa rules will be approved," Alegre said.

Lower hotel rates and cheaper flights, he added, will also help make the Philippines look more attractive to tourists.

"There is better road network to the north and flights have been affordable. Air connections have become very affordable," Alegre said.

The Philippines drew 62 million local tourists in 2016. 

Source : GMA Network

Tags: South Korea
Akhyari Hananto

I began my career in the banking industry in 1997, and stayed approx 6 years in it. This industry boost his knowledge about the economic condition in Indonesia, both macro and micro, and how to More understand it. My banking career continued in Yogyakarta when I joined in a program funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB),as the coordinator for a program aimed to help improve the quality of learning and teaching process in private universities in Yogyakarta. When the earthquake stroke Yogyakarta, I chose to join an international NGO working in the area of ?disaster response and management, which allows me to help rebuild the city, as well as other disaster-stricken area in Indonesia. I went on to become the coordinator for emergency response in the Asia Pacific region. Then I was assigned for 1 year in Cambodia, as a country coordinator mostly to deliver developmental programs (water and sanitation, education, livelihood). In 2009, he continued his career as a protocol and HR officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Surabaya, and two years later I joined the Political and Economic Section until now, where i have to deal with extensive range of people and government officials, as well as private and government institution troughout eastern Indonesia. I am the founder and Editor-in-Chief in Good News From Indonesia (GNFI), a growing and influential social media movement, and was selected as one of The Most Influential Netizen 2011 by The Marketeers magazine. I also wrote a book on "Fundamentals of Disaster Management in 2007"?, "Good News From Indonesia : Beragam Prestasi Anak Bangsa di dunia"? which was luanched in August 2013, and "Indonesia Bersyukur"? which is launched in Sept 2013. In 2014, 3 books were released in which i was one of the writer; "Indonesia Pelangi Dunia"?, "Indonesia The Untold Stories"? and "Growing! Meretas Jalan Kejayaan" I give lectures to students in lectures nationwide, sharing on full range of issues, from economy, to diplomacy Less
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