'Korea lacks tourist attractions': Thai travel group apologizes for criticism

A Thai tourism association formally apologized for degrading Korea as a travel destination.

Visitors watch a stage performance at the Korea Tourism Organization's promotional event dubbed "Yes! Korea Travel" in March. [KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION]

A Thai tourism association formally apologized for degrading Korea as a travel destination in light of the Korean government's strict immigration screening of Thai nationals.

The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA) sent a letter signed by its president, Charoen Wangananont, to the Korean Cultural Center in Thailand and the Korea Tourism Organization on Sunday apologizing for negative comments made by the Thai association’s vice president, Yuttachai Suntornrattanavert, and stressing that they did not reflect the association's official position.

Suntornrattanavert attributed a decline in Thai tourists visiting Korea to the country's “lack of tourist attractions” in the Nikkei Asia article "'Ban Korea' movement drives Thai tourists to China, Japan” published Aug. 11. He further claimed Korea's popularity as a tourist destination was primarily driven by “ephemeral” hit movies and TV shows, adding that China and Japan are more attractive options as they offer visa-free entry, stunning scenery and a welcoming atmosphere.

Following the article's publication, the Korean Cultural Center and Korea Tourism Organization expressed concerns over Suntornrattanavert's comments. “We understand that Thai citizens may have been disappointed by our stricter regulations and entry restrictions, but the comments were exaggerated. We recognized the seriousness of the issue and raised concerns accordingly,” said a spokesperson from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Tourism industry officials attribute the recent controversy and negative sentiment surrounding travel to Korea to anti-Korean sentiment rippling through Thailand, which was aroused by Korea's decision to tighten restrictions on travelers from the Southeast Asian country. Such sentiment triggered the “Ban Korea” campaign on social media where a number of Thai tourists have shared negative experiences being denied entry to Korea despite holding a K-ETA, an electronic travel authorization obtainable via an online application.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Thailand was the leading source of tourists to Korea among Southeast Asian countries. However, this number has declined for seven consecutive months, pushing Thailand out of the top three. In June, the number of Thai tourists visiting Korea plunged 19.5 percent compared to the same period of last year, reaching 20,150, while the overall number of inbound foreign tourists surged by 47.5 percent in June, totaling 1.42 million.

In an effort to attract more Thai tourists, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has requested a temporary K-ETA waiver from the Justice Ministry. However, the ministry has expressed concerns due to Thailand's high rate of illegal immigration. With 78 percent of its immigrant population (a total of 157,101 people) lacking legal status, Thailand far exceeds other Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam at 29 percent and the Philippines' 22.1 percent in terms of undocumented immigrants.

BY BAE JAE-SUNG [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]