Puerto Princesa Opens Center to Boost Philippines-South Korea Tourism Exchange

PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan – Puerto Princesa City has inaugurated a new facility aimed at strengthening cultural and economic ties between South Korea and the Philippines. Located at Mercado de San Miguel, near the international airport, the Seogwipo (Jeju) Tourist Center and Korean Tourism Information Center was formally opened on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Demetrio Alvior Jr., head of the City Tourism Department, explained that the center serves as a vital connection between the local Korean community in Puerto Princesa and Palawan and their home country, establishing a direct link to the South Korean embassy. The facility also offers valuable resources for Filipinos interested in traveling to South Korea, with a special focus on Jeju Island.

“The center is more than an information hub; it’s a platform to promote Puerto Princesa and its province to South Koreans,” Alvior said. The aim is to encourage South Korean visitors to discover the natural beauty of the region. The staff, who are Korean themselves and deputized by the Korean embassy, will handle inquiries from the Korean community and provide detailed information about Puerto Princesa.

For locals planning trips to South Korea, the center will offer useful information and resources. Alvior mentioned plans to stock the facility with brochures and various promotional materials related to tourism, assisting Korean guests in becoming acquainted with the city.

Recent tourism data from the Department of Tourism highlighted Puerto Princesa as the top destination in the Mimaropa Region for November. Alvior believes this popularity could potentially draw more visitors from South Korea.

The inauguration ceremony saw the attendance of Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron, businessman Richard Arambulo, Peter Kim from the Korean Ambassador’s Office in Palawan, and Elise Kang representing the Palawan Korean community.