South Korea is considering temporary visa exemptions for Chinese group tourists to boost the domestic tourism industry, spooked by the botched Dec. 3 martial law declaration and the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said on Thursday it also plans to move up next year’s tourism budget and spend 70% of the budget in the first half to revitalize the tourism market.
During a government meeting presided over by acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the ministry reported the tourism market stabilization measures.
The government set a target to attract 18.5 million foreign tourists in 2025, slightly lower than this year’s target of 20 million but more than the record 17.5 million foreign visitors in 2019.
Foreign tourist arrivals have rebounded to 94% of pre-pandemic levels, with 13.7 million incoming visitors as of October. However, the industry is facing a renewed strain due to political unrest following Yoon’s martial law declaration, which prompted other countries to issue heightened alerts on travel to Korea.
The ministry said the government plans to help tourism-related businesses achieve 30 trillion won ($20.5 billion) in sales next year.
NO VISA FOR CHINESE GROUP TOURISTS
The Korean government plans to enhance convenience for incoming foreign tourists to stimulate the domestic tourism market.
The ministry said it is positively considering visa exemptions for Chinese group tourists organized by dedicated Korea-China travel agencies.
The visa issuance fee waiver for group tourists from China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia and India will be extended through December 2025.
The temporary exemption of the Korea electronic travel authorization (K-ETA) program for 68 select countries will be extended for another year through 2025.
To attract more foreign tourists with deep pockets, the culture ministry plans to improve a system to designate accredited tourism institutions and continue a temporary preferential entry screening system for participants in international conferences in Korea.
The number of overseas offices set up to host international conferences will be expanded from 8 to 12, according to the ministry.
The government will also promote Korea as a safe travel destination at major international events and collaborate with foreign media and online influencers to push for tourism campaigns.
KOREA GRAND SALE, KOREA BEAUTY FESTIVAL
As part of efforts to encourage foreigners to visit Korea, the government plans to host big events, including the Korea Grand Sale in January and February and the Korea Beauty Festival in June and July.
Free travel insurance will be offered to 50,000 group tourists visiting Korea until the end of March, according to the culture ministry.
To promote trips to non-Seoul areas, the government plans to introduce city accommodations and build more regional lodging facilities.
It will also promote a “one plus one flight service” to allow foreign tourists arriving at Incheon International and Gimpo International airports to travel to regional airports via connected domestic flights.
GOVERNMENT-COMPANY COOPERATION
The government plans to cooperate with local companies, such as Naver Corp., to improve foreign-language maps, restaurant reservations and payment systems.
Efforts include expanding foreign-language translations of reviews for tourist sites and restaurants on local online services and increasing QR payment infrastructure at major tourist attractions and shopping centers. Automatic ticket vending machines allowing payments with international credit cards will also be introduced.
Financial support for the tourism industry is also in the works.
The government said it will offer financial support to tourism companies, including 536.5 billion won in loans, from January.
Some 500 billion won in emergency loans will be provided to travel agencies, hotels and businesses involved in MICE projects, or meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions.
By In-Soo Nam
isnam@hankyung.com
Jennifer Nicholson-Breen edited this article.
