South Korea to introduce visa exemption for Chinese tour groups in Q3
South Korean authorities aim to boost tourism amid weak domestic demand.
South Korea.- Choi Sang-mok, South Korea’s acting president has announced that visa exemptions for Chinese visitors will begin in the third quarter of the year. The move is aimed at boosting tourism at a time of weak domestic demand and ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju in the fourth quarter.
Last year, South Korea received 16.4 million visitors. That’s an increase of 48 per cent in year-on-year terms, but a drop from the 17.5 million visitors recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic. Chinese nationals made up the largest group at 28 per cent. Authorities aim for 18.5 million visitors this year.
Authorities plan to use the growing popularity of South Korean pop culture, including K-pop music and fashion, to attract more visitors. The government will also launch special tour packages related to Korean food and beauty products.
