By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

The Philippines aims to attract 500,000 Korean visitors to the country this year, and 1 million visitors per year by 2010, said Joseph H. Durano, secretary of the Philippine Department of Tourism.

Durano came to Korea on Tuesday to participate in the Korea World Travel Fair (KOTRA) held from Thursday through Sunday at COEX in southern Seoul.

The tourism department is intensively promoting travel programs to attract more Koreans to the country.

``Korea was the third largest country in terms of the number of visitors to our country last year, followed by the U.S. and Japan, with 378,602 travelers, 24.6 percent up from 2003,’’ Durano said during a media briefing Wednesday.

The number has been growing this year, as 113,491 people already visited the Philippines in the first three months, an 18.7 percent increase from 95,580 during the same period of 2003.

The country is promoting the campaign ``More than the usual warmth, Feel the Philippines!’’ only for the Korean market.

``We present various tour programs so that tours in the Philippines can meet every traveler’s interests,’’ the 35-year-old secretary said.

Families can enjoy their holiday, and romantic five-star hotels will be perfect for newlyweds. Students can study English in the country where English is used almost as an official language among dozens of dialects.

The crystal blue ocean also welcomes divers, and fans of golf can play on courses designed by world-famous golfers.

The tourism body also disclosed a five-minute video advertisement for the first time at the briefing. The video ad features the Philippines’ various cultures that have both traditional and modern aspects and both eastern and western styles.

``For Korean visitors’ convenience, we started providing the `Meet and Assist’ program last December,’’ Durano said.

The program provides Korean-speaking attendants at guide booths in airports. Through the program, Philippine guides learn the Korean language while Korean guides learn about the country.

About 120,000 Koreans live in the country. Last month, a Korean opened a spa resort.

``Such resorts operated by Koreans are welcomed as they bring more Korean travelers and create jobs for Filipinos,’’ he said.

The tourism department also tried to improve access for Korean tourists to the country. A total of 37 flights operate between the two nations per week. Korean Air and Asiana Airlines plan to provide direct services to Cebu, one of the famous resort islands in the country, beginning this summer, Durano said.

Also, a new terminal will be built at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila this year to ease air traffic congestion.

Some are concerned about the security of the Philippines, as nine journalists were killed in the country this year.

``We will remove the negative publicity by having more positive publicity,’’ Durano said. He said many foreign people choose the country as not only a travel destination but also their second home, adding it ensures the nation’s security.

Durano accompanied about 70 delegations, the largest number ever that the country has sent for KOTRA. The participants, including performers, travel agents, airline officials and reporters, operate 20 pavilions at the fair.

The delegations will present a performance and parade symbolizing Flores de Mayo, one of the largest festivals in the Philippines.

He left Korea yesterday.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr