Korea, China partner to showcase tourism beyond Seoul

Korea and China have jointly launched an exchange program in the travel industry, with the goal of steering international tourists away from Seoul's main attractions and into the nation's historical regional destinations. This collaboration, spearheaded by Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization, and the Korea Association of Travel Agents, began on Thursday in Incheon before shifting to the culturally rich city of Andong.

The campaign addresses long-standing issues of geographical disparity in inbound tourism, where a vast majority of foreign visitors still gravitate towards Seoul and the southern island of Jeju. This concentration leaves numerous provinces grappling with economic stagnation and dwindling rural populations, despite their potential to attract more visitors.

China, being Korea's largest source market for group travel, makes this partnership essential for directing consistent visitor traffic to underutilized regions. The inaugural event in Incheon welcomed around four hundred participants, marking a significant step towards a more balanced tourism landscape in South Korea.