Sunday, August 25, 2024 The South Korea government has announced its plans to support local travel agencies in an effort to revitalize Chinese group tourism. This initiative comes as part of a broader strategy to increase inbound tourism, particularly targeting the Chinese market. As part of this effort, 16 specially curated tourist programs designed by 12 local travel companies have been selected through a competitive process held from July 15 to 29.
These programs, tailored specifically for Chinese group tourists, aim to offer unique experiences ranging from luxury stays in boutique hotels to cultural and leisure activities. Highlights include shopping in Seoul’s trendy Seongsu-dong, cosmetic treatments, tours of popular drama production sites, bike rides along the Han River, and visits to Gangwon’s vibrant seafood markets. The selected programs fall into several categories: five focus on K-culture, three on leisure and sports, two on peace and national security, three on wellness, and three on regional tourism.
These offerings include immersive experiences with 2024 Hallyu content, sport-oriented bike tours along major rivers, and educational tours of the Demilitarized Zone. The government will officially recognize these programs as “quality projects,” providing funding for marketing and promotional efforts. Additionally, the chosen travel agencies will have the opportunity to showcase their projects at travel fairs in China, further boosting their visibility.
This support follows the resumption of Chinese group tourism to Korea last August, marking the first time in six years that such programs have been available since being halted due to diplomatic tensions. In response, the Korean government has intensified inspections of travel agencies to prevent the exploitation of Chinese tourists and is encouraging the development of more traveler-friendly programs. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reports that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Korea in 2024 has already surpassed last year’s figures by June and is projected to exceed 3 million by the end of August.
On average, each Chinese tourist spends approximately $2,324.30 during their stay, including travel costs by flights or cruise ships..
