Korea Tourism Organization Holds 'Alham Arabi Korea' Council to Explore Strategies for Attracting Middle Eastern Tourists

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 28th that they held the '2025 Alham Arabi Korea' council at Sky31 in Lotte World Tower, Seoul, on the 27th.

Alham Arabi Korea is a consultative body launched in February last year to create a Middle East-friendly tourism environment and attract more Middle Eastern visitors. It is composed of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Organization, and private companies. Currently, 46 tourism-related companies are participating as members across seven sectors: accommodation, medical services, beauty, shopping, food and beverage, culture and arts, and concierge services.

On the 27th, attendees of the '2025 Alham Arabi Korea' council held at Sky31 in Lotte World Tower, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo.
Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

This council was organized to support member companies' entry into the Middle Eastern market, enhance their understanding of the region, and promote practical development of tourism product content and marketing collaboration. The event included a signing ceremony for 15 new member companies selected earlier this year, as well as a lecture on business opportunities in the Middle East by Kim Yurim, author of 'Saudi Now.' In addition, based on the results of the Korea Tourism Organization's first-ever survey last year on travel trends among visitors from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman), participants gained insights into the demand and characteristics of Middle Eastern travelers to Korea.

Seo Youngchung, Acting President of the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "After the pandemic, tourism exchanges with the six GCC countries have recovered rapidly, and last year, a record 40,959 visitors from the Middle East came to Korea. Although there are various political instabilities on the Arabian Peninsula, we will actively promote inbound marketing based on the Alham Arabi Korea council and focus on attracting more international tourists."

The Korea Tourism Organization plans to host a familiarization tour in June, inviting high-value travel product agencies and travel companies from the Middle East and other potential markets to visit Korea. In addition, a travel mart will be held to support the overseas expansion of Alham Arabi Korea council member companies.