Temporary Visa Exemption for Chinese Group Tourists: Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Organization Holds Meeting to Attract Chinese Visitors

Gyeongbuk Province and the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Organization (President Kim Namil) held a "Gyeongbuk Province-Greater China Travel Industry Meeting" on August 13 in the organization's conference room, together with executives and staff from Chinese travel agencies designated by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, to proactively respond to the implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists.

This meeting was organized to take advantage of the government's temporary visa exemption policy for Chinese group tourists, which will be in effect from September 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026, as an opportunity for a leap forward in Gyeongbuk tourism. The participants discussed concrete strategies and cooperation measures to secure a leading position in the Greater China tourism market.

Gyeongbuk Province and the Greater China travel industry held a meeting to discuss measures ahead of the temporary visa exemption and are taking a commemorative photo.

During the meeting, participants analyzed market changes and expected effects resulting from the temporary visa exemption policy. They also discussed the planning of Gyeongbuk tourism products in preparation for China's National Day holiday (October 1-7) and the autumn and winter peak seasons. In addition, they focused on developing customized content and promotional strategies targeting Greater China tourists.

A representative of a Chinese travel agency who attended the meeting stated, "The implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists in the second half of the year presents a significant opportunity for the Gyeongbuk tourism market. If Gyeongbuk can offer unique products and convenient transportation support ahead of the National Day holiday and autumn peak season, it will be possible to effectively attract demand for travel to Korea."

Another travel agency official added, "We need to strengthen joint marketing and local promotions so that incentive groups visiting nearby metropolitan cities such as Busan and Daegu can be connected to Gyeongbuk. In particular, if real-time promotion and booking environments are established through OTA and SNS platforms, Chinese consumers will have a much wider range of choices."

Based on this meeting, Gyeongbuk Province and the organization plan to secure additional budget in preparation for the implementation of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists in the second half of the year. They will also actively work to attract more incentive groups from Chinese companies in Korea and MICE tourism groups. In addition, they plan to review various joint marketing measures to encourage groups visiting Busan and Daegu to also visit Gyeongbuk.

President Kim Namil stated, "This temporary visa exemption policy is a golden opportunity to accelerate the recovery of tourists from Greater China. Gyeongbuk Province, the organization, and the travel industry will work as one team to widely promote the unique attractions of Gyeongbuk to the world and draw even more visitors to the region."