To alleviate the concentration of foreign tourists in the capital region and enhance local tourism, a study suggests leveraging Daegu Airport as a "dual gateway" for the Gyeongsang region. This approach aims to develop a regional inbound tourism hub linked with nearby areas, reflecting the actual movement patterns of foreign tourists rather than being constrained by administrative boundaries.
According to a brief published by Yanolja Research on September 1, Daegu Airport's international arrival passenger numbers and the proportion of foreign visitors have not yet fully recovered to pre-COVID-19 levels. In 2019, monthly international arrivals exceeded 100,000, but since 2023, the numbers have generally fallen short of that mark. The share of foreign visitors, which once surpassed 40% during certain periods, has recently hovered around 20%, indicating a significant reliance on outbound demand. Additionally, as of 2025-2026, about 16 international routes are primarily operated by low-cost carriers (LCCs), focusing on domestic short-term leisure travel.
However, an analysis of actual movement data reveals that Daegu Airport's potential extends beyond the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. In 2025, among foreign tourists traveling from Daegu to major external cities, 62.4% headed to Busan, marking it as the top destination. This was followed by Gyeongju (15.1%), Ulsan (13.0%), Pohang (6.6%), and Andong (2.9%).
Yanolja Research noted, "More than 60% of foreigners traveling from Daegu are strongly connected to Busan, indicating a 'hub-like' movement structure. In contrast, foreign visitors to Busan tend to disperse to various regions, such as Gyeongju (20.1%), Ulsan (19.7%), Daegu (17.6%), and Changwon (16.9%). This suggests that Daegu and Busan are not separate destinations but are closely linked within a continuous travel itinerary."
The study also highlighted that the capacity limitations of Gimhae Airport could lead to a broader role for Daegu Airport. By 2025, Gimhae Airport is expected to handle approximately 10.44 million international passengers, reaching saturation and making it difficult to expand new routes. Furthermore, with the opening of the new Gadeokdo Airport postponed to 2035, Daegu Airport, located about an hour from Busan via KTX, is viewed as the only viable alternative gateway to meet international demand in the Gyeongsang region.
Yanolja Research compared this situation to the Kansai region in Japan, which effectively distributes incoming travelers to major tourist sites through two gateways: Osaka Kansai Airport and Kobe Airport. Similarly, the Gyeongsang region should establish a functional division of roles, with Gimhae Airport serving as a maritime tourism gateway and Daegu Airport as an inland tourism gateway.
To successfully implement the "Gyeongsang Dual Gateway Strategy," Yanolja Research proposed various policy approaches for central government, local governments, and the industry. The central government is encouraged to redefine airport hinterlands based on actual movement patterns of foreigners rather than administrative boundaries. When promoting policies to revitalize local airports, the benefits of Daegu Airport should be reflected as extending beyond Daegu and Gyeongbuk to the entire Gyeongsang region, utilizing Daegu Airport as a complementary gateway during the supply constraints before the opening of Gadeokdo Airport.
At the local government level, the development of regional tourism products and joint marketing based on actual travel routes from "Daegu to Busan, Gyeongju, and Ulsan" was proposed as a solution. In particular, there is a need for Daegu to evolve from a simple transit point to a destination with enhanced stay-oriented content.
For the industry, the study suggested redesigning products and networks targeting ultra-regional travel routes. Airlines and travel platforms could explore specialized routes in inbound markets with high potential, such as Taiwan and China, and target ultra-regional travel itineraries with multi-city products like "Daegu IN, Busan OUT."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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