SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s passport ranks third globally in terms of travel freedom, granting visa-free access to 192 destinations, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index released on January 9 by UK-based citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners. South Korea shares its third-place position with Finland, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. The [...]
JEJU, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — Jeju Island’s tourism-driven economy is under strain as domestic political instability and a recent aviation disaster involving Jeju Air have dampened travel demand, according to an analysis released on January 8 by the Bank of Korea’s Jeju branch. Between December 5, 2024, and January 7, 2025, the number of domestic [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 31 (Korea Bizwire) — Naver unveiled a new Naver Maps Usage Guide on Monday, designed to help foreign tourists navigate South Korea. The guide, available in English, Chinese, and Japanese, provides tips on finding attractions and using public transportation through the app. In addition to being accessible online, the guide will be distributed as [...]
CHEONGJU, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — In the city of Jecheon, South Korea, two chubby-cheeked characters with snow-white skin and beaming smiles have captured the public’s imagination. Meet “Je-je” and “Cheon-cheon,” the official mascots whose charm has evolved from initial skepticism to beloved civic symbols. When first introduced four years ago, some likened the rotund pair [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — The government unveiled a set of measures Thursday aimed at stabilizing its tourism sector, facing setbacks after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief martial law declaration and impeachment. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism reported the measures during a government meeting presided over by acting President and Prime Minister [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – With Korean cuisine continuing to gain global popularity, local governments across South Korea are launching food-themed festivals, marking a shift from traditional tourism strategies centered on historical sites and local specialties. These innovative festivals are transforming previously overlooked regions into tourist destinations, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors and combining [...]
BUSAN, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Gamcheon Culture Village, a popular tourist destination in Busan known for its high share of international visitors, is launching new tourism initiatives utilizing vacant homes left behind by an aging population, aiming to extend visitors’ typically brief stays and increase economic benefits to the local community. The Saha District Office [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Japan welcomed 33.38 million foreign visitors from January to November 2024, surpassing its previous annual record of 31.88 million set in 2019 before the pandemic, according to data released by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) on December 18. South Koreans accounted for the largest share, with 7.95 million visitors [...]
MUAN, Dec. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – Cheongsando, a picturesque island in Wando County, South Jeolla Province, has been recognized as a 2024 “Star of Korean Tourism” in the eco-friendly tourism category by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, according to a December 18 announcement. Renowned as Asia’s first “Slow City” [...]
SEOUL, Dec. 6 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s tourism and retail industries are on edge following the recent declaration and lifting of martial law, as travel warnings from major countries raise concerns about a potential decline in foreign visitors. While the Korea Tourism Organization reported no significant cancellations as of December 5, signs of apprehension [...]