South Korea's "Big Transformation in International Tourism and Local Tourism Breakthrough" strategy includes a plan to ease visa requirements for 11 countries, while expanding international routes at local airports.
Last year, 18.94 million international visitors came to South Korea, setting a record high. To open the era of 30 million international tourists, the kimchi country's tourism industry needs to have a transformation in quality beyond growth in quantity.
First of all, the Korean government will relax visa regulations to reduce barriers to international visitors from target markets.
Tourists from 11 countries including China and Southeast Asian countries who have been to Korea before will be eligible for multiple entry visas valid for 5 years.
In particular, tourists in three cities of Vietnam - including Hanoi - will have their multiple entry visas currently extended by 5 years to a maximum of 10 years.
Meanwhile, group tourists from Indonesia (from 3 people or more) will be piloted for visa exemption.
In addition to the visa policy, the Korean government proposes many measures to promote local tourism. Because, currently up to 81.7% of international tourists only stay in the capital area.
International flights directly to local airports will be significantly expanded, while increasing or increasing the frequency of domestic flights from Incheon International Airport so that tourists can easily travel to other regions.
In addition, the "Korea Train Loop Trail" program will take advantage of the national railway network to connect stations with nearby tourist destinations, forming train tourism routes. Tourism is expected to become an economic sector that helps limit the decline of many local areas.
Mr. Seo Tae-seok, Director of Rakuten Travel's Korean branch, said that although the demand for travel to small cities is increasing, public transport is still not convenient. He proposed that South Korea strengthen the connection of tourist bus routes operated by local authorities to help tourists travel between cities more easily.
