Why foreign tourists are trading palaces for peaks in Korea

The Korea Tourism Organization has noticed a shift in foreign tourists' preferences, with many opting for mountain peaks over historic palaces during their visits to Korea. Recently, a group of 11 French hikers, including members of the Fédération Française de la Randonnée, joined Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young and renowned climber Um Hong-gil in Bukhansan National Park to participate in a three-day hiking trip.

This excursion is part of a larger initiative involving around 40 association members, who are undertaking 11-day hikes across various locations in Korea, including Hahoe Folk Village, Mount Nam, Mount Geumjeong, Suncheon Bay, and Hwaeom Temple near Mount Jiri. The Korea Tourism Organization has organized this trip as part of their marketing efforts to promote Korean walking tourism, aligning with a campaign launched in July by the Korea National Park Service.

The campaign aims to attract a combined total of 3 million visitors to national parks by 2028, with foreign tourists now able to borrow hiking boots and trekking poles for free at participating parks, alongside receiving a keychain souvenir.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.