The South Korean government has revealed plans to enhance inbound tourism by introducing various measures. These initiatives include easing visa regulations and expanding entry points at regional airports. President Lee Jae Myung chaired a meeting where officials discussed strategies to attract more foreign tourists.
The proposed measures aim to make visa and entry procedures more flexible for foreign visitors. Indonesia will be part of a pilot visa waiver program for group tourists. Additionally, the government plans to introduce five-year multiple-entry visas for travelers from China and Southeast Asian countries with prior records of visiting South Korea.
To facilitate smoother entry, an automated immigration clearance system will be extended to European Union member states. The government also intends to increase international direct flights to regional airports and provide incentives to attract new routes. Furthermore, tourism marketing efforts will focus on diverse regions through tailored travel packages and promotions.
President Lee emphasized the importance of enhancing regional tourism infrastructure and services to position the sector as a strategic industry. He highlighted the need to improve service quality, strengthen regional infrastructure, and enhance tourism content to achieve the goal of attracting 30 million foreign visitors by 2030. Last year, South Korea welcomed a record high of 18.9 million travelers.
Lee stressed the significance of distributing the benefits of tourism industry growth across the country. He called for better integration of Korean culture with the tourism sector and broader economy. Lee urged the government to enhance regional transportation infrastructure, immigration processes, and develop unique tourism content to encourage visitors to explore beyond the capital.
In addressing concerns from foreign visitors, Lee emphasized the need to address issues such as high pricing, poor service quality, and excessive customer solicitation to improve overall visitor experience.
