Travelers in a group of more than five from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia will enjoy visa-free entry at South Korea’s Muan International Airport in South Jeolla Province until March 3, 2024.
The South Jeolla Provincial Government, in collaboration with the Korean Ministry of Justice, has granted an extension to the visa exemption period, VisaGuide.World reports.
As local media reports, South Korea is implementing a 15-day visa-free entry policy explicitly tailored for group travelers arriving at Muan Airport from these three Southeast Asian countries. In particular, this policy covers several regions, such as Jeonnam, Gwangju, Jeonbuk, and Jeju.
Visa Exemption Boosts Tourism in South Jeolla Province
Since the implementation of the visa exemption system on March 3, South Jeolla Province has witnessed an unprecedented surge in tourism, with regular package charter flights from Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia flocking to the region. This influx of visitors has breathed new life into the province and its surrounding areas, welcoming approximately 4,000 foreign tourists eager to explore the rich cultural tapestry of South Korea.
The impact of this tourism boom is reflected in the analysis of card payment data conducted by BC Card in 2023. The findings reveal a staggering increase in card payments by Vietnamese tourists to South Jeolla Province during the first half of the year, soaring by more than 300 percent compared to the same period in 2022.
Vietnamese Tourist Arrivals in Korea Surpassed 386,000 in November 2023
Last year’s data from the Korea Tourism Organization also showed that by the end of November 2023, the number of Vietnamese tourists in Korea had exceeded 386,000. According to the same source, there was an increase of nearly 40,000 registered MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) group visitors, effectively doubling compared to 2022.
The growth of Vietnamese tourism to Korea during November also marked a 140 percent increase compared to 2022 and an impressive 74 percent increase compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Moreover, Joo Sun-Seon, Director of the South Jeolla Province Sports and Tourism Department, highlighted several ambitious plans aimed at taking advantage of the post-COVID-19 landscape, adding that to meet the evolving demands of foreign tourists, the province is leading initiatives to expand its repertoire of tailored accommodation offerings and to increase marketing and advertising efforts.
As he explains, with the resumption of global travel on the horizon, South Jeolla Province is taking proactive measures to position itself as a top destination for international visitors. Among these initiatives is the accelerated development of new tourism facilities, including the Wando Marine Treatment Center and the Mokpo Ocean Hotel.