ONE MILLION. This 2012, the Philippines is targeting one million tourists from South Korea. This AFP photo shows tourists visiting the Puerto Princesa Subterrarean River National Park in Palawan.

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has sent sales mission to Seoul and Busan as part of efforts to hit its target of one-million tourists from South Korea this 2012.

South Korea is the Philippines' single largest tourism market, accounting for almost 1/4 of annual arrivals.

In the first 10 months of 2012, 832,437 Koreans visited the Philippines, or 23.93% of the total visitors from January to October.

"Given that November and December are generally peak months, we are positive and confident that this year's performance will exceed the market's record of 925,204 tourists in 2011," Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said in a statement released December 12.

The Philippine delegation that visited Korea in November was composed of representatives from local airlines and 29 hotel and resort operators who promoted various packages, destinations and investment opportunities.

The Philippines expects to hit 4.2 million tourist arrivals this 2012 and 10 million by 2016. - Rappler.com