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Korea wants 30 million annual tourists by 2027. But what is the country doing about it? Published: 31 Oct. 2024, 07:00 YOON SO-YEON yoon.

[email protected] Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI Tourists take selfies in front of the King Sejong statue at the Gwanghwamun Square, central Seoul, on Oct.



9. [YONHAP] Two years ago, Korea dared to dream. It was the dream of attracting 30 million annual tourists by 2027, a number almost double that of the highest ever achieved by the country in 2019.

This came at a time when tourism was at its peak, with the area being the fifth-largest export sector in Korea following semiconductors, cars, petroleum and auto parts. The dream coincided with an optimistic outlook for the tourism industry as the world slowly awaited the end of a pandemic that had kept the global population frozen without movement. Travel began to resume, regulations were easing and Korea had risen as a provider of popular online content that had kept people entertained during the lockdown — the likes of Netflix’s “Squid Game” (2021) and online concerts by K-pop stars.

Related Article Domestic tourism tanks as travelers flock to cost-effective countries Gov't to support travel agencies in bid to boost Chinese group tourism Culture Ministry to hand out vouchers for rural stays during Chuseok to boost tourism So, when the government enthusiastically announced that it would begin its tourism push with a humble target of 20 million inbound tourists in 20.

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