Citizens and foreign tourists enjoy skating at the ice rink in front of Seoul City Hall. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The seasonal ice rink at Seoul Plaza has closed its winter run with more than 180,000 visitors, city officials said Wednesday, marking a steady rise in attendance driven in part by a surge in foreign tourists.
The rink, which ended operations on Feb. 8, drew 180,701 skaters over the season, an average of 3,475 per day. That represents a 6.3 percent increase from last year’s total of 169,978 visitors.
Foreign visitors accounted for a growing share of the crowd. Nearly 49,700 international tourists took to the ice this season, up more than 30 percent from a year earlier, meaning roughly one in three skaters came from abroad.
City officials attributed the increase to stronger ties with tourism programs, including the Discover Seoul Pass, a sightseeing pass that grants foreign visitors timed access to major attractions. The skating rink was included as part of the broader promotional effort.
The season also featured appearances by prominent athletes, including figure skating national team member Cha Jun-hwan and short track speed skater Shim Suk-hee at the opening ceremony. Members of the city’s short track team staged a demonstration event in late January, and visitors were invited to experience winter Olympic sled sports at a hands-on booth.
A popular farmers’ market, previously known as Seoro Market, was expanded into a larger “local market zone,” offering regional specialties alongside the skating festivities.
Despite a prolonged cold spell this winter, the rink maintained strong turnout, underscoring its status as one of the capital’s signature seasonal attractions. The city said the ice rink will reopen on Dec. 18 with expanded programs and events.
“We are grateful to citizens and visitors who came despite the severe cold,” said Kim Myung-joo, head of Seoul’s Tourism and Sports Bureau. “We will return in December with an even more vibrant skating season.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
