This country consistently ranks as the top destination for tourists visiting the Philippines, excluding China.

South Korean photographer Sang-kyu Gil has visited the Philippines around 10 times.

The 42-year-old typically spends seven to 10 days in the country, drawn by the beautiful scenery and affordable prices. This trip costs him around $400, which is less than half the amount he expects to spend on a similar trip within his home country.

His last visit was in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic, but it's unlikely that this will be his final trip.

He informed CNBC Travel in Korean that he definitely intends to return to the Philippines.

It is likely that the Philippines will receive a large number of visitors from South Korea after the pandemic ends, based on past trends.

From 2010 to 2020, the Philippines received the highest number of visitors from South Korea, as per data from the Department of Tourism.

Despite having smaller populations than China, the United States, and Japan, South Korea still ranked among the top four countries over the same time period.

Despite being in the top 10 destinations for South Koreans, the Philippines is not their top choice, with more South Koreans visiting countries like Japan and Vietnam in absolute numbers.

The Philippines is the most visited destination by South Korean tourists, which was not a coincidence.

In 1989, when the Philippines lifted its restrictions on international travel, it specifically targeted South Korean tourists as its primary market.

The government eased travel restrictions for South Koreans over 40 years old as it pursued democratic development and liberalization, the Associated Press reported.

The Philippines Department of Tourism recognized the opportunity and established a presence in Korea since 1989 by employing Korea-based marketing representatives. In 2007, the department opened an office in Seoul to conduct intensive marketing and promotions.

The pandemic resulted in a significant increase in the number of South Korean travelers to the Philippines.

Here’s what brings these visitors to the Philippines.

1. Proximity and convenience

Apo said that the Philippines is a popular destination due to the quick travel time and direct flights between the two countries.

The flight from South Korea's Incheon Airport to Manila in the Philippines takes approximately four hours.

Famed beach islands in the Philippines can be reached via direct flights, under five hours.

Apo stated that it is easy for Koreans to take a weekend trip to the Philippines, typically departing on a Friday night and returning to Korea early Monday morning.

A six-hour flight from Incheon Airport to Bangkok is typical, and reaching beaches in Thailand or Indonesia often involves a layover.

"Easy access" is a "key factor" for the Philippines' appeal to South Koreans, says Cho Il-sang, a public relations representative from Hana Tour, a Korean travel agency.

From South Korea, the shortest flight duration is among Southeast Asian countries, he informed CNBC.

In 2018, Hyunchan Lee, a 23-year-old university student, stated that Boracay appeared to be an effortless vacation spot for those unacquainted with the Philippines.

There are numerous guide books and blogs available to assist with planning in other parts of the Philippines, as stated.

2. Beautiful beaches

Visitors from South Korea are also attracted to the beaches of the Philippines, particularly those in Cebu and Boracay.

According to Alex Jeong, a Korean sales manager at Rakso Travel, South Korea's beaches do not compare to those in the Philippines.

In 2018, Lee's "fondest recollection" from his Boracay trip was spending time with friends on their hotel's private beach.

Apo, from Philippines Tourism, stated that a 2020 survey revealed that Koreans are fond of the country's "scenic beauty and beaches."

3. Low prices

The Philippines has become "even more popular" as a tourist destination due to the relatively cheap flights between the two countries and the rise of low-cost carriers, according to Hana Tour's Cho.

Cheap flight tickets to Boracay were a reason for Lee, the university student, to visit.

He stated that the food was both affordable and delicious, and also mentioned that taxis and other private transportation options are also reasonably priced. This is significant because public transportation in the Philippines is not well-developed.

‘Post-pandemic’ travel

Jeong from Rakso Travel stated that the Philippines reopened its borders to tourists in February, but South Korean leisure travelers are unlikely to visit for now.

Most individuals arriving in South Korea must still complete mandatory quarantines.

Apo stated that interest "significantly rose" when the Philippines declared its borders were reopening, but she did not specify if reservations have been made.

Hana Tour's Cho expects a quick recovery in tourism demand to the Philippines once travel restrictions are lifted in both countries.

— CNBC’s Chelsea Ong and Chery Kang contributed to this report.