Woori Bank's prepaid card for foreign visitors surpasses 10,000 issuances amid rising inbound tourism

Woori Bank's prepaid card for foreign visitors, the "NOL World Card," has issued more than 10,000 cards in just three months since its launch, the bank announced on Wednesday. The card, launched jointly by Woori Bank, travel platform NOL Universe, and fintech firm Kona I, aims to simplify local financial transactions and shopping for international tourists as inbound tourism increases and the demand for simple local payment methods grows.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, foreign arrivals hit 10.71 million in the first half of the year, marking a 23.1 percent increase compared to the previous year. However, short-term visitors often face financial hurdles when visiting the country, as opening a local bank account or obtaining a domestic credit or debit card can be challenging, leaving them dependent on cash exchanges or international payment methods.

The NOL World Card, which can be obtained instantly upon arrival at Woori Bank exchange counters at Incheon International Airport, is designed to tackle these challenges.