Chinese state-run media outlets have reported a significant surge in South Korean tourists visiting the country since the beginning of this year. According to reports from People’s Daily on April 9, citing data from the South Korean Ministry of Justice, in January alone, 142,000 South Koreans visited China, marking a 908.7% rise compared to the same period last year.
Global Times, an English-language newspaper under the People’s Daily, echoed the same sentiment on the same day with an article titled ‘South Korean visitors in China surge 909% year-on-year in January as inbound tourism rebounds.’ The publication quoted Song Hyun Taek, director of the China division at Modetour, a South Korean travel agency, who said that since April 2023, the number of South Korean tour groups visiting China has been steadily increasing.
Global Times further emphasized, “The rebound of South Korean travelers is an epitome of China’s inbound tourism recovery,” citing statistics such as Zhangjiajie, a popular destination in Central China’s Hunan Province, receiving 98,462 inbound tourists from January 1 to February 27, up 34 times compared to 2023. The article also highlighted upcoming developments in air travel, stating that Korean Air is scheduled to resume flights from Incheon to Zhangjiajie and Zhengzhou, Central China’s Henan Province, by the end of April, while Jeju Air plans to resume flights from Incheon to Shijiazhuang, North China’s Hebei Province this summer.
Global Times pointed out several factors that have contributed to this surge in South Korean tourism to China. Firstly, the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions has encouraged travelers to venture abroad. Additionally, geographical proximity and cost-effectiveness have played significant roles in attracting South Korean tourists. Zhang Huizhi, vice dean of the Northeast Asian Studies College at Jilin University, told the Global Times that China’s recent enhancements in tourism promotion, including visa-free policies for certain countries, further played a crucial role in drawing foreign tourists to the country.
Last December, China extended visa-free benefits for up to 15 days to six countries, including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Furthermore, visa fees for 12 countries, including South Korea, were reduced by 25% in December, and visa issuance requirements for Americans were simplified starting from January. Other efforts China made to attract foreign visitors include increasing the transaction limits for mobile payment services within the country.
