Culture Ministry details plans to encourage tourism within Korea

Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is striving to have Korea on as many travel bucket lists around the world as possible this year. “In the recent meeting, the ministry has come up with a government-wide plan to bolster tourism in ...

Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yong-man speaks to reporters on the ministry's K-tourism policies during a press conference at the Press Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is striving to have Korea on as many travel bucket lists around the world as possible this year.

“In the recent meeting, the ministry has come up with a government-wide plan to bolster tourism in Korea, particularly maximizing on the ongoing high interest in K-culture among people in their 20s and 30s,” said the Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yong-man during a press conference at the Press Center in Jung District, central Seoul, on Wednesday.

“It is our understanding that there is ample demand to first-handedly enjoy the local culture and trends that many around the world see through the small screen,” Park Jong-taek of the Tourism Policy Bureau said, also present at the press conference. He added that the new policies are largely aimed towards making such Korean experiences more accessible to the world.

For some 156.6 million K-pop fans worldwide, this means more chances to see their favorite idol perform live.

A string of large-scale K-pop concerts and events will be launched between April and October, in areas such as Busan, North Jeolla, Incheon, Jeju Island and Seoul. Events include the Seoul Festa on April 30, Busan Dream Concert (tentative title) on May 27, Saemangeum K-pop Concert on Aug. 6, Incheon K-pop Concert on Sept. 9 and Hallyu Tourism Festival set to take place sometime in October.

The Blue House, also called the Cheongwadae, which was the former executive office and presidential residence, will be transformed into a tourist hot spot since first opening to the public last May. Nearby locations including the Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, Seochon Village and Mount Bugak will also be included in what the ministry calls the “Cheongwadae Tourism Cluster” in a bid to fashion the area into a landmark for K-tourism.

The ministry also announced plans for visa reforms to promote an easier and more convenient stay for foreigners in the country.

One of them was to lift the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirements for tourists from 22 countries that Korea gets 80 percent of its tourists from, including Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Germany, and New Zealand, through the end of next year, tentatively, and extend the valid period for K-ETAs from two to three years.

The K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization that visa-free foreign visitors need to obtain before entering Korea by submitting relevant information online such as their traveling purposes and details.

The ministry also announced that the Digital Nomad Visa, also called the “workation” visa, will be newly introduced sometime this year to allow foreigners who are not employed and making money in Korea, to work and enjoy a vacation in Korea, possibly in regional areas such as Jeju Island, Yeosu and Gangwon. It also plans to actively issue K-culture training visas for trainees in K-culture education and training institutions.

For those already in Korea, the Korea Travel Expo will open on April 13 at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza in central Seoul, for a four-day event. Under the slogan, “Local Tourism Bucket List for Koreans,” the expo provides information on hidden tourism spots across Korea along with information on photo op spots, restaurants and activities.

The ministry will also be offering modest discount vouchers for accommodations in various regional areas of the country as well as amusement parks to promote domestic tourism.

Called “Get Vouchers and Go on a Trip,” the event will give out 1 million 30,000-won discount vouchers for accommodations and 180,000 10,000-won discount vouchers for amusement parks.

The ministry will be promoting medical and luxury tourism as well in the form of private tours and packages.

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]