5 June 2014- The Philippines garnered praise and recognition during the recently concluded 29th Korea World Travel Fair 2014 (KOFTA) that was held from May 29 to June 1 at the COEX Exhibition Hall in Seoul. The Philippine Department of Tourism was honored with the “Best Tourism Marketing Award” and the “Best Booth Operation Award”. Receiving the awards were officials of the House Committee on Tourism, Hon. Mercedes “Didi” Cagas (Vice Chairperson), Hon. Marie Anne Pernes of the Lone District of Siquijor and Hon. Elisa Kho of the 2nd district of Masbate. These legislators together with Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Maria Theresa Martinez were on an official visit to Seoul to explore opportunities for expanding the flow of Korean tourists to the Philippines.
The Philippine booth showcased popular tourism destinations and offered attractive travel packages catering to the international tourist market. Korean visitors to the Philippine booth showed great interest in the golf, beach and honeymoon packages as well as the Secondary Language Learning Program (ESL) that offers tutorials in the English language. South Korea remains to be the Philippines’ number one source of tourists, accounting for 25% of its tourist arrivals in 2013.
Ambassador Raul S. Hernandez visited the Philippine booth and commended the DOT headed by Philippine Tourism Director and Attaché, Ms. Maricon Ebron for its excellent preparations and untiring efforts in promoting the Philippines as a prime tourist destination to a wider international audience.
KOFTA is the largest and most prestigious travel fair held annually in Seoul and featured exhibitors from countries belonging to Asia, Europe, Oceania, America, Africa and the Middle East. END