In celebration of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Korea, the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) Manila Office officially staged the Korean Travel Fiesta 2024, a two day celebration at the Glorietta Activity Center and Palm Drive Activity Center in Makati City that invites Filipinos to witness and experience a vibrant showcase of Korea’s tourism and culture.
At the heart of the celebration were different zones that offered immersive and interactive experience showcasing Korean culture. Attendees were free to explore the different booths and activities to discover more of what makes Korea special. The featured zones included the K-Travel Zone, which offered essential travel information for anyone looking to visit Korea; the K-Activity Zone, which provided an authentic Korean experience for attendees to taste Korean cuisine, try on Hanbok, learn history, and enjoy various K-pop and K-beauty themed activities; and the Kids Zone, which featured a fun and engaging creative space for younger attendees to enjoy DIY activities like handicraft making of K-themed keychains and hairclips.
Aside from the themed booths, the event also featured exhibitors such as airlines, travel agencies, regional tourism organizations, tour attractions, telecommunication companies, and banks, which all showcased their various offerings for attendees planning their next trip to Korea.
The two-day event kicked off with a lively performance from KTO’s very own Kingdom Friends characters featuring Hojong, Mugo, and Kawoo, setting the tone for the weekend’s festivities. Guests were also treated to appearances and performances from various artists from the Philippines and Korea. Running Man PH mainstays Glaiza De Castro, Kokoy De Santos, and Buboy Villar graced the stage for a talk show where they shared their experiences in the program and visit in Korea. A performance from the Korean musical CHEF came next, which featured a comedic and impressive fusion of beatboxing and breakdancing centered around Korea’s bibimbap dish.
Actress and comedian Melai Cantiveros-Francisco also made an appearance for her talk show discussing family tourism, which was followed by live performances from Korean artists: PUNCH, known as the voice of various K-drama soundtracks, serenaded guests with her sweet voice; Korean hip-hop dance team WOLF’LO treated audiences to an exhilarating performance; and K-pop singer Xiumin from EXO shared some tips and recommendations for hopeful travelers planning to visit Korea before performing his energetic songs.
The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 also featured a slew of activities, including demos to engage attendees such as personal color, makeup and hair demonstration sessions led by Korean experts, and various challenges such as the Spicy Ramen Challenge, Blindfold Make-up Challenge, and K-pop Random Play Dance that included participation from attendees.
As Filipinos prepare for their overseas trips for the holidays, the Korea Travel Fiesta aims to promote and showcase the charm of Korea’s magical winter, offering attendees an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Korean culture and society.
“Filipinos have always loved Korean culture so the Korea Travel Fiesta is our special way to show our appreciation for the support we have received over the years. As the holiday season rolls in, we’d like to invite Filipino families and groups to visit Korea for their holiday trips and experience everything Korea has to offer during the beautiful winter season, from the beautiful snow-covered sceneries, to the different winter activities and festivals,” Mr. YoungChoong Seo, Acting President of Korea Tourism Organization.