Starting February, the Department of Tourism (DOT) will enhance its Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC) by offering support from Korean-speaking agents. This initiative aims to better assist travelers from South Korea, the Philippines’ largest source of inbound tourists.
The DOT announced the expansion on Saturday (Feb 1), emphasizing its commitment to delivering improved services to international visitors. Travelers can now access direct assistance from dedicated Korean-speaking agents available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Philippine Standard Time).
“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,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. “In alignment with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of a digitally empowered government, the DOT is dedicated to improving its platforms to deliver accessible, efficient, and world-class service to all tourists, both domestic and international.”
This initiative supports the government’s broader objective of digitizing public services, ensuring seamless, responsive, and tech-driven tourist assistance.
Strengthening Tourist Support Services
As of January 30, 2025, the TACC has handled over 13,502 transactions, assisting travelers from 71 different nationalities. The Philippines, the United States, and Australia lead the list of tourists utilizing the service. Common inquiries include general tourism questions, travel and tour services, DOT accreditation, and career opportunities.
A flagship program under Secretary Frasco, the TACC has been recognized as one of Asia’s premier customer support platforms. It recently received the “Best in Service – Customer Support (Regional Level)” award at the prestigious Asia Best of Best Awards 2024, held at Westin Dubai, Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai, UAE.
Expanding Multilingual Services
To further enhance accessibility, the DOT is planning to introduce additional language support, including Mandarin and other languages, ensuring a more inclusive and smooth travel experience. “We understand the role of language accessibility in creating a seamless and enjoyable journey for tourists,” added Secretary Frasco.
South Korea: The Philippines’ Top Tourist Market
In 2024, the Philippines welcomed 1,574,152 visitors from South Korea, reflecting an 8.1% increase from 1,455,977 arrivals in 2023. This also marks a 2.5% rise from the 1,539,402 arrivals in 2019, indicating full recovery and surpassing pre-pandemic levels. South Korea remains the largest contributor to the country’s foreign tourist arrivals, accounting for 26.46% of total visitors.
Seamless Assistance for Travelers
For real-time and efficient support, tourists can contact the TACC through multiple channels:
- Mobile Hotline: +63 954-253-3215
- Landline: 151-TOUR (151-8687)
- Email: touristassistance@tourism.gov.ph
- Facebook Messenger: Department of Tourism – Philippines
- Click2Call & Live Webchat: Available on beta.tourism.gov.ph
The DOT remains dedicated to providing world-class service and ensuring a hassle-free travel experience for all visitors.
