US-Philippines Society to convene in Manila

The US–Philippines Society will convene anew in Manila from Feb. 10 to 11 to assess key topics of importance to both countries. The meeting represents the first private sector-led forum on US–Philippines engagement since the transition from the Biden administration to that of President Donald Trump in Washington.

Co-chair Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala will host the 2025 board meeting program, while co-chair Ambassador John Negroponte will lead the US delegation. Co-chairs will also welcome new members to the Society board, which includes business, professional and civic leaders, according to a press release from Ayala Corp.

Presentations in a session titled “Outlook 2025” will review global and regional trends, American diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific, and Philippine government priorities. The session seeks to examine the implications of the Trump administration’s policy actions, as well as discuss the upcoming Philippine midterm elections.

Delegates also look forward to identifying win-win trade and investment initiatives between the Philippines and the United States.

DOT expands tourist assistance call center

Starting this month, tourists can get assistance from Korean-speaking agents through the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) expanded Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC).

The DOT has expanded its tourist hotline to provide Korean-speaking support, reflecting the department’s commitment to enhancing service for travelers from South Korea, the country’s largest source of inbound tourists.

Korean travelers can now receive direct assistance from a dedicated Korean-speaking agent Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Philippine Standard Time).

According to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, “As South Korea continues to be our top inbound market, this initiative ensures that Korean travelers can easily access assistance, allowing them to fully enjoy the warmth, hospitality and attractions that make the Philippines a destination to love.” The move to add Korean-speaking agents, the DOT said, aligns with President Marcos’ vision of a digitally empowered government.

The DOT is therefore dedicated to improving its platforms to deliver accessible, efficient and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international. It is also part of the government’s broader goal of digitizing public services, promoting a seamless, responsive and tech-driven approach to tourist assistance.

Last year, the Philippines welcomed 1,574,152 visitors from South Korea, representing an 8.1 percent increase from 1,455,977 arrivals in 2023. This figure also indicates a 2.5 percent growth compared to 1,539,402 arrivals in 2019, showing a complete recovery that has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. South Korea remains the Philippines’ largest source of foreign visitors, capturing over 26.46 percent of total tourist arrivals.

The TACC has facilitated over 13,502 transactions as of Jan. 30, serving tourists from 71 different nationalities, with the Philippines, the United States and Australia being the most represented. Common inquiries include general tourism questions, travel and tour services, DOT accreditation and career opportunities.

Frasco assured that “the DOT is working to expand multilingual support services, including Mandarin and other languages, for a more diverse range of travelers. We understand the role of language accessibility in creating a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.”

For seamless and responsive assistance, tourists can contact the TACC through various platforms. The DOT has updated its mobile hotline at +63 954-253-3215, ensuring a more efficient communication channel for travelers. Additionally, landline users can reach the center via 151-TOUR (151-8687), while inquiries can also be sent via email at [email protected].

For real-time assistance, travelers may connect through Facebook Messenger at Department of Tourism – Philippines or utilize the Click2Call and Live Webchat services available on beta.tourism.gov.ph.

Just recently, Secretary Frasco welcomed the inauguration of the new parallel runway at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). She said the expanded runway would “strengthen Cebu’s position as a top tourist destination, cementing its standing as a premier gateway to the islands of Visayas and Mindanao, and boost tourism in Central Visayas by improving accessibility for international and domestic visitors.”

Furthermore, Frasco said, the expansion would also help Cebu’s potential “to grow its tourism industry, especially in dive tourism and in the meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions sector, where the province currently thrives. More importantly, this could support Cebu’s major tourism events and festivals, such as the Sinulog Festival.”

The Tourism Chief attended the inauguration of the MCIA’s first parallel runway, led by President Marcos, last week.

In his speech, Marcos noted, “There is something special about Cebu. It’s a place where history and progress come together very gracefully, where tradition converges with innovation, and where the grit and tenacity of its people shine brightly in every achievement.”

The new runway at the MCIA, the President said, reflects the very essence of Cebu: “It is dynamic, promising, and always ready to take on challenges. And just as Cebu has been a center of trade and tourism, this parallel runway symbolizes the unrelenting drive to connect, grow and lead.”

The inauguration of the parallel runway at MCIA marks a major milestone in Philippine aviation, improving air traffic efficiency and regional connectivity, and resulting in an increased aircraft movement capacity of 30 to 40 per hour, as well as reducing the wear and tear of the runways, as two runways will now be used alternately.

In 2024, the MCIA recorded a total of 11,315,225 passengers, a growth of 13 percent compared to 2023 figures. Of the total, 8,506,299 were domestic passengers, while 2,808,926 were international passengers.

In 2023, the MCIA won Asia’s Best Airport in the under five million passengers category at the prestigious Routes Asia 2023 awards in Chiang Mai, Thailand.