Korea to go all out to attract 20 million foreigners, reach $24.5B in tourism revenue

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a national tourism strategy meeting at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju on Friday. [NEWS1]

Korea has rolled out an array of plans to attract more foreign tourists to the country with a goal of 20 million tourist arrivals and $24.5 billion in tourism revenue by the end of 2024.

In a national tourism strategy meeting at the Asia Culture Center in Gwangju, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who presided over the meeting, said, "The number of foreign travelers to the country that used to be around 1.7 million dropped drastically to 970,000 in 2021 in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic."

"It was a huge loss for Korea's economy and related industries," he added. "The situation has somewhat recovered, and the number of visiting tourists is nearing 10 million for the first time in four years. As the tourism industry is recovering, the [government officials] should roll up our sleeves and work together to help the Korean tourism industry achieve its best performance ever in 2024."

Among the participants were ministers of 13 related ministries, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and more.

Han asked the related ministries to amend and ease laws and regulations pertaining to tourism to implement the strategies discussed in the meeting, ordering the Culture Ministry to inspect the status periodically.

However, are those figures even realistic?

Recently, travelers from Thailand have been complaining about Korea's strict immigration screening, leading them to even campaign against visiting Korea. Thai travelers said many of them were denied a visit during the online application process or denied entry after arrival at Incheon International Airport as immigration policies and procedures have been tightened in recent months.

Ironically, Korea and Thailand designated the year 2023-24 as "Korea-Thailand Visit Year" and said they'll work together to increase the number of tourists between the two countries.

In September 2021, the Korea Immigration Service introduced K-ETA, an electronic travel authorization system to streamline foreign travelers' entry process while countering unlawful stays. Citizens from countries that have visa-exemption agreements with Korea can obtain travel authorization before arriving in Korea.

However, industry insiders say Southeast Asians perceive K-ETA as "another visa" and that it's inevitable for travel agencies in Southeast Asian countries to recommend travel deals to other countries with such uncertainty in K-ETA issuance.

The Culture Ministry said it has been discussing the issue with the Ministry of Justice and is working hard to ease visa restrictions for foreigners coming to Korea.

"We understand the Ministry of Justice's concern about the increasing number of foreigners' illegal stays," Yong Ho-seong, director general at the Tourism Industry Policy Bureau of the Culture Ministry, said.

According to the statistics published by the Ministry of Justice, in 2021, Thai and Vietnamese nationals accounted for more than 54 percent of foreign nationals living in Korea without legal permission.

The Ministry of Justice temporarily waived K-ETA requirements for tourists from the United States, Japan, Canada, and 19 other countries, Yong said, noting more countries will be added.

The government will also allow hotel operators here to hire foreigners by granting E-9 and E-7 visas to solve the labor shortage.

"So far, hotels with more than 40 percent of foreign guests could only apply to hire foreign staff with E-7 visas, but we are working with the Justice Ministry to lower that percentage," Yong said.

Various events are being planned throughout next year.

In January and February, the Korea Grand Sale, the country's largest shopping event for non-Korean nationals, will be organized. In March, the Korea Dulle Trail, an ultra-long walking trail that runs about 4,500 kilometers (2,796 miles) around the country, will be ready to greet travelers from across the globe.

An inaugural Korean beauty festival will be held in Gwanghwamun Square in June. In September, the government plans to hold a K-pop event similar to the MAMA Awards or KCON.

"Many K-pop fans fly to the venue where such K-pop events are held, and we thought, 'Why not hold one in Seoul?'" said Yong.

The government will also organize the K-tourism Roadshow, an all-out promotional event showcasing Korea's various cultural content, in 25 different cities next year, which is 10 more than this year.

The additional 10 cities in countries like New Zealand, Sweden, and Saudi Arabia have been selected to expand Korean tourism's global reach.

To attract foreigners to the country's provincial cities, the Culture Ministry said it will take slow steps in identifying the true charms of Korea's different cities and areas.

"We are planning to meet up with young Koreans living in different provincial areas and listen to their thoughts and ideas," Jang Mi-ran, the second vice culture minister, said.

"Koreans first have to like the food and the festivals and enjoy them, I think," Jang added. "Discovering delicacies and festivals that we want to eat and go — that's the first step."

"Young people have to feel confident about them — then they'll introduce it to their friends living in other cities, or even in other countries."

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]