, Naver Maps, a homegrown navigation app, is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for tourists navigating the country’s bustling cities and scenic landscapes. (Image from Naver Maps)
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Korea Bizwire) – As South Korea continues to see a surge in international visitors, Naver Maps, a homegrown navigation app, is rapidly becoming an indispensable tool for tourists navigating the country’s bustling cities and scenic landscapes.
According to internal data released by Naver on September 1, the daily active users (DAU) of Naver Maps in foreign languages increased by approximately 30.8% in August compared to the same period last year.
While Naver does not disclose specific DAU figures, industry estimates suggest that foreign users may account for nearly 20% of the app’s total 6.89 million daily active users.
This growth aligns with the broader trend of increasing international arrivals. The Korea Tourism Organization reports that cumulative foreign visitors from January to July of this year reached 9.11 million, a 66.8% increase from the same period last year.
A survey conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization further underscores Naver Maps’ popularity among foreign tourists. Of the respondents, 56.2% reported using Naver Maps for transportation and navigation during their visit, surpassing Google Maps at 33.9%.
Moreover, 27.8% of visitors cited Naver Maps as their most satisfactory app experience in Korea, followed by Papago (9.9%) and Google Maps (6.3%).
Tourists praised Naver Maps for its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and multilingual support. The app offers information in English, Chinese, and Japanese, covering not only basic map functions but also detailed place information, operating hours, and user reviews.
“We’re continuously expanding our multilingual support,” a Naver representative stated. “In the latter half of this year, we plan to update text reviews and place filters to be available in multiple languages. We expect this will allow foreign users to reference authentic visitor experiences more conveniently.”
The company also plans to integrate short-form video reviews, leveraging its connection with Naver’s video platform, Clip.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
