The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization forecast on the 28th that a combined 180,000 to 200,000 tourists will visit around May 1, including 80,000 to 90,000 from Japan and 100,000 to 110,000 from China. In the first quarter, arrivals from Japan reached 940,000, up 20% from a year earlier, while visitors from China totaled 1.45 million, up 29%, already near record highs.
◆ Japan targets families; Kyushu travelers steered to Busan
For Japan’s Golden Week (4. 29~5. 6), the ministry is focusing on families and proximity. Working with Jin Air and Air Busan, it will offer families traveling with children airfare discounts of 1,000 to 2,000 yen and an extra 5 kilograms of checked baggage allowance. It will also provide discount coupons for Shinsegae duty-free shops and department stores and recommend tailored attractions such as Jeju’s Snoopy Garden to encourage spending during visits.
For residents of Japan’s nearby Kyushu region, the ministry is launching a “Now is the time for Busan” campaign with special discounts on ferries and flights to Busan. Programs including cruise-ship fireworks will be discounted 40% to 50% to ease perceived costs. A “K-tourism roadshow” in Fukuoka on the 30th will feature Hwang Min-hyun, and a May 1 special broadcast on Japan’s Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) is aimed at boosting demand for weekend one-night, two-day trips. Welcome events for charter-flight passengers will also be held May 2 and 3 at Cheongju Airport.
◆ “Shortest-distance appeal stands out” as four China cruises call
During China’s Labor Day holiday (5. 1~5), the ministry expects South Korea’s appeal as a nearby destination to be especially strong. Four cruise ships are scheduled to call at South Korean ports during the period. According to travel agencies in Shandong, bookings on the shortest routes between South Korea and China rose to 30% to 60% above last year’s level.
To welcome travelers arriving on direct flights from Shanghai to Gimhae, the ministry will set up a reception booth in the Gimhae Airport arrivals hall and promote repeat visits to regional destinations. Through a roulette event, it will offer experience vouchers for a Haeundae “K-beauty all-in-one course” and a Gwangalli “ocean activity course,” along with souvenirs from four southeastern cities — Busan, Ulsan, Pohang and Changwon. In a joint promotion with Hong Kong Express, it will also offer airfare discounts on Hong Kong-to-regional airport routes (Gimhae, Daegu and Jeju), aiming to draw demand from Guangzhou into regional tourism.
Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said the ministry has operated a weekly tourism situation “war room” since February to respond early to changing conditions. “Even amid concerns about a slowdown in international tourism demand, we will make the most of Golden Week and Labor Day to firmly maintain the growth trend in inbound tourism,” he said.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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