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Philippines told to organize tour groups for visa-free entry to South Korea

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Thea Alberto-Masakayan, ABS-CBN News

<h2>Korea says just waiting for DOT to identify accredited travel agencies</h2><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/generic/ph-passport.jpg"/></figure></div><p>JEJU ISLAND, South Korea - The Jeju tourism office has urged Philippine authorities to quickly organize Jeju-bound tour groups that would also include visa-free access to mainland South Korea, the land of Hallyu and kimchi, starting May. </p><p>Rhee Kangil, chief marketing manager of Jeju Tourism Organization (JTO), confirmed reports that South Korea will soon allow Jeju-bound tour groups from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam to go to other parts of South Korea for five days, without visa, if they transfer at Incheon or Gimhae. </p><p>Incheon International Airport is South Korea&#x27;s main airport, 27 kilometers away from the capital Seoul. Travelers can go by bus or train to Seoul from Incheon. </p><p>Gimhae International Airport is the landing point for economic zone Busan. Both are South Korea&#x27;s busiest airports. </p><p>&quot;The Korean government, they [authorities] have allowed Filipinos, Vietnamese, Indonesians to come to Korea using package tours,&quot; Rhee said, adding that the policy will be implemented in May. </p><p>Rhee said the rule applies to Chinese tourists but JTO is now eyeing visitors from Southeast Asian nations. </p><p>&quot;The [visa-free] system [being offered] is when tourists using a package come to Korea and if there&#x27;s Jeju [island] on the itinerary. It only applies to package tours but there has to be designated travel agencies. It cannot be any travel agency selling Korean packages,&quot; Rhee explained. </p><p>Unfortunately, only Vietnam and Indonesia have so far &quot;designated travel agencies,&quot; and the Philippines has yet to give a list of accredited travel agencies. </p><p>&quot;Filipino government has to designate travel agencies who will take care of [tourists],&quot; Rhee said. </p><p>&quot;The Philippines has not yet designated travel agencies, I don&#x27;t know how long it takes but the Korean government will have to work with the Philippine government to designate the travel agencies,&quot; he added. </p><div><strong>DOT: STILL NO REQUEST</strong></div><p>The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) acknowledged the new policy, but claimed South Korea has yet to officially request for a list of accredited tour agencies. </p><p>Tourism Undersecretary Bong Bengzon told ABS-CBN News the DOT assumes for now that the &quot;Korean government will work for the development of tours.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Well, we have not been approached officially. They can get in touch directly with any of the accredited tour operators but if there is a formal request to DOT, definitely we will help them out,&quot; Bengzon said in a phone interview. </p><p>Currently, Philippine passport holders may enter picturesque Jeju-island visa-free but must obtain a visa if traveling to mainland Korea. There are no direct flights to Jeju but <a href="https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/ph/home">Philippine Airlines</a> has chartered flights, via <a href="http://www.raksotravel.com/destination/git.aspx?c=102251">Rakso Travel</a>. </p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/04/19/jeju-island-041917.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">A relaxing view at Seongsan Ilchulbong, one of the many attractions of Jeju Island. <cite>Thea Alberto-Masakayan, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>FOREIGN POLICY HITTING KOREAN TOURISM </strong></div><p>South Korea is luring more Southeast Asian tourists after China called for the boycott of Korean goods and tours for allowing the deployment of an American anti-missile system called THAAD. </p><p>Jeju Island suffered the most, as cruise tours from China came to a halt. </p><p>&quot;There is a reduced number of tourists from China. Some companies are on the verge of bankruptcy. To prevent that, we are trying to attract tourists from South East Asia,&quot; Rhee said. </p><p>Rhee said, of the 15 million tourists who traveled to Jeju Island in 2016, there were only 8,890 Filipinos. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://kto.visitkorea.or.kr/eng.kto">SEE: Korea Tourism Organization</a></li></ul><p>&quot;This is a very big chance for us to get more tourists from Southeast Asia since we&#x27;re not getting enough people to come into Jeju yet,&quot; Rhee added. </p>

<p>Filipinos may soon be allowed to travel to mainland South Korea without visa for a limited period starting May. </p>

Filipinos may soon be allowed to travel to mainland South Korea without visa for a limited period starting May.

Philippines told to organize tour groups for visa-free entry to South Korea

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Philippines told to organize tour groups for visa-free entry to South Korea

Thea Alberto-Masakayan,

ABS-CBN News

Published April 19, 2017 04:35 PM PHT

Read More:

South Korea

Jeju

Seoul

Incheon

visa

Filipinos

Korea Tourism Organization

Philippine Airlines

Rakso Travel

DOT

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