Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization, "We must row vigorously when the tide of Hallyu tourism is rising"

*This content was translated by AI.

'Row when the tide is rising'

This old saying seems fitting for the current effort to increase the number of tourists visiting Korea.

As waves of diverse Hallyu trends surge, if the government and private sector introduce various incentives, the atmosphere is expected to further encourage foreign visitors to come to Korea.

In fact, when examining the reasons why many people visit Korea, the charm of Korea (K) plays a major role. The subways in Seoul and Busan, K-pop led by BTS, K-food, K-beauty, and other attractive mechanisms accumulated in Korea so far are presenting themselves as unique and significant charms to foreigners. If the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and related public corporations like the Korea Tourism Organization row their oars appropriately, they can achieve even greater effects.

Coincidentally, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Choi Hwi-young, hereinafter Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and the Korea Tourism Organization (President Park Sung-hyeok, hereinafter the Organization) plan to launch various events to proactively address potential declines in inbound tourism demand due to rising airfare prices ahead of the Golden Week holidays in Korea, Japan, and China around Labor Day (May 1).

They will focus on intensively promoting the unique charms of regional tourist destinations in Korea during the spring season to broaden the reach of Japanese and Chinese visitors nationwide, while continuously supporting the confirmed inbound tourism demand for the first quarter of this year.

Predicted 180,000 to 200,000 Japanese and Chinese tourists visiting Korea during the Golden Week

The scale of inbound tourism from Japan and China this year (preliminary figures) reached record highs through the first quarter, with 940,000 visitors from Japan (up 20% compared to the same period last year) and 1.45 million from China (up 29%). It is predicted that during this Golden Week, 80,000 to 90,000 Japanese tourists (an average daily increase of 18-20% compared to last year's holiday period) and 100,000 to 110,000 Chinese tourists (up 22-32%) will visit Korea.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Organization will launch the '2026 Family-Friendly Korea' campaign targeting family travelers, coinciding with Japan's Golden Week (April 29 to May 6). In collaboration with airlines such as Jin Air and Air Busan, they will offer benefits including airfare discounts (1,000 to 2,000 yen per person) and additional checked baggage (5 kg) for families traveling with children. To encourage spending during trips to Korea, discount coupons for Shinsegae Duty Free and department stores will also be distributed. Recommendations for tourist sites where children can enjoy themselves, such as Jeju Snoopy Garden and Daegu E-World, will be strengthened to highlight Korea's image as 'the closest overseas destination suitable for traveling with children.'

For residents in the Kyushu region, including nearby Fukuoka, a 'This is the Time for Busan' campaign will be launched to encourage Busan travel. Special discount coupons will be distributed to attract passengers using flights and ferries between Fukuoka and Busan. In collaboration with cruise companies, programs such as onboard fireworks displays and sunset viewing will be offered at a 40-50% discount, supporting diverse experiences in Busan.

Large-scale on-site events and media promotions to stimulate local interest in visiting Korea will also be conducted. On April 30, a 'K-Tourism Roadshow' will be held in Fukuoka, featuring performances by Hallyu star Hwang Min-hyun and a 'Korea Tourism Story Show' to showcase the charm of traveling to Korea to local consumers. On May 1, the popular program <Weekend Korea> on Osaka's 'Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS)' will air a special Golden Week broadcast introducing the latest trends in Korean fashion, cosmetics, and food, aiming to encourage Japanese people to take weekend one-night, two-day trips to Korea.

Warm welcome events will also be prepared for Japanese tourists visiting Korea during the 'Golden Week' period.

Welcome booths established at Gimhae Airport for Chinese tourists, campaign to encourage repeat visits·Providing airfare benefits in collaboration with airlines

Despite rising airfare prices and a decline in travel sentiment due to the prolonged Middle East crisis, Korea's popularity as a short-distance destination continues during the Chinese Labor Day holiday period (May 1-5). A total of four cruises with Korea as a port of call will operate during the Chinese holiday period, and booking rates for Korean airlines on Korea-China routes are expected to be higher than last year. In particular, reports of relaxed visa policies for visiting Korea, marketing efforts, and the Chinese government's spring break policy (April 29 to May 7) are driving demand for short-distance overseas travel. According to travel agencies in the Shandong region, which operates the shortest route between Korea and China, passenger numbers are increasing by approximately 30-60% compared to last year.

In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Organization will launch a campaign to encourage repeat visits by individual foreign tourists entering Korea through regional airports. A welcome booth will be set up at the arrival hall of Gimhae International Airport for passengers arriving via the direct route between Shanghai and Gimhae, where a 'Where is my destiny city?' roulette event will be held. Participants will receive souvenirs printed with four cities in the southeastern region (Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, Changwon), along with information on experience itineraries such as Haeundae's 'K-Beauty All-in-One Course' and Gwangalli's 'Ocean Activity Course,' as well as discount coupons.

To activate the Hong Kong-Gimhae, Daegu, and Jeju routes, benefits such as airfare discounts will be provided in collaboration with Hong Kong Express, attracting not only visitors from Hong Kong but also from nearby Guangzhou to Korea's regional tourism.

Choi Hwi-yeong (Minister) stated, "Since February this year, we have been forming a 'Tourism Situation Room (War Room)' every week to proactively respond to various changing conditions and challenges affecting tourism demand." He added, "Even with the contraction in international tourism demand caused by the recent Middle East crisis, we will maintain the growth trend of inbound tourism by effectively leveraging the opportunities of Japan's Golden Week and China's Labor Day."

Now, with the shift from Seoul-centric tourism to the activation of local tourism autonomy, there is an opportunity to fully enhance Korea's regional exploration charms, and it is expected to garner a certain level of positive response.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.