"With Lee Jaemyung Administration Stabilized," Surge in Chinese Tourists as Travel Sentiment Shifts

Stagnation Even During the Spring Festival Peak...
Rebound as Political Situation Stabilizes
Recovery Expected to Accelerate if Visa Restrictions are Eased

With political uncertainty in South Korea easing, there is analysis suggesting that Chinese tourists are returning to the country.

Foreign tourists are lining up to buy twisted doughnuts at a famous twisted doughnut shop located in Gwangjang Market, Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The South China Morning Post (SCMP), a Hong Kong daily newspaper, reported on June 14 that, citing data from China Trading Desk, a travel marketing company in China, travel bookings to South Korea from April to June this year increased by about 24% compared to the previous quarter.

The company analyzed that demand for travel from China to South Korea dropped sharply at one point during January and February, when confusion was at its peak due to the impeachment and other turmoil following the emergency martial law declaration by former President Yoon Suk-yeol. In particular, the company pointed out that, despite the peak overseas travel season of the Spring Festival (Lunar New Year) holiday from January 28 to February 4, the number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea stagnated, attributing this to South Korea's political turmoil.

SCMP stated, "The impeachment of former President Yoon and the martial law situation affected travelers' confidence, and there were many cases of tourists avoiding South Korea even during the traditionally busy Spring Festival holiday."

However, the situation reversed after April. As the political situation stabilized, tourism sentiment also appeared to recover. In particular, from June, when the Lee Jaemyung administration took hold, demand for travel to South Korea reportedly surged in line with the start of the peak vacation season.

Industry insiders reported that "among Chinese travelers, South Korea is once again being perceived as a safe travel destination."

There is also momentum from the third quarter that could make the upward trend even more pronounced. This is because the South Korean government is considering a visa waiver for Chinese group tourists starting in the third quarter, and major airlines are planning to significantly expand their routes to China at that time.

Chai Chen-chun, a university student interviewed by the newspaper, said, "When I visited South Korea for the first time last month to see the American rock band Guns N' Roses perform, I was more concerned about the usual risks of traveling alone than about political instability," adding, "I feel that last year's impeachment incident is now all in the past."