According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, about 112,000 Japanese and 108,000 Chinese tourists visited South Korea during this period. This total exceeds initial estimates of 180,000 to 200,000. Compared to last year, Japanese visitors increased by 52.9% and Chinese visitors by 29.9%, resulting in an overall rise of over 40%. The first quarter of this year also saw record-high arrivals, with 940,000 Japanese and 1.42 million Chinese tourists.
Targeting Families in Japan and Regional Tourism in China
The government implemented consumer-focused marketing strategies during the holiday. For the Japanese market, it highlighted the geographical advantage of short flight times. Discounts on flights and ferry fares were offered to residents of the Kyushu region, and baggage allowances were increased to ease travel for families with young children.
Conversely, efforts were made to alleviate the concentration of tourists in the capital region from China by promoting regional tourism. Collaborating with national airlines, the government aimed to distribute arrivals from southern regions like Guangzhou to local airports such as Gimhae and Daegu. A special welcome booth was set up at Gimhae International Airport to promote tourism infrastructure in four southeastern cities: Busan, Ulsan, Pohang, and Changwon, encouraging longer stays and spending.
Plans to Sustain Tourism Growth
The Ministry aims to maintain the upward trend in inbound tourism throughout the year. In Japan, new specialized travel packages will be developed that incorporate local traditional festivals, such as the Hamann Nakha Festival and Andong Seonyujul Fire Festival, reflecting the trend of visiting smaller cities.
For Chinese tourists, the recently relaxed multiple visa issuance policy will be leveraged. The government plans to enhance promotions for tailored travel packages through major online travel platforms and social media channels.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choi Hwi-young, stated, "We will fully support the tourism industry based on the proven competitiveness of K-tourism during this holiday. We will respond swiftly to global travel trends and develop precise strategies for target countries to sustain inbound demand through the end of the year."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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