Full-Scale Marketing for Chinese Tourists Begins
Hebei TV and Hunan TV Feature Gyeongbuk Attractions and Interview with Governor Lee Cheolwoo
In line with the government's temporary visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists, Gyeongbuk Province is launching a full-scale marketing campaign to attract Chinese visitors.
Gyeongbuk Province aims to capitalize on the more relaxed conditions for visiting Korea during the visa-free entry period for Chinese group tourists (September 29, 2025 to June 30, 2026), with a strategy to convert Chinese tourism demand into actual visits.
To this end, from September 3 to 5, the province is collaborating with Chinese local broadcasting media to produce a special tourism program on Gyeongbuk. The program will feature major attractions such as the Gyeongju World Heritage Sites, Hwangridan-gil, Andong Hahoe Village, and Woryeonggyo Bridge, as well as local cuisine and hands-on experiences, showcasing the diverse culture and charm of Gyeongbuk through video.
In particular, on September 3, Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province, introduced strategies for attracting Chinese tourists in line with the visa-free policy and preparations for the APEC Summit to be held in October during an interview at the provincial government office.
The media outlets producing the Gyeongbuk broadcast are Hebei TV and Hunan TV. Hebei TV is broadcast throughout Hebei Province, featuring news and tourism as its main content and attracting a wide audience.
Hunan TV is an economic channel that broadcasts economic and lifestyle programs throughout Hunan Province. Through its international channel, it provides content covering culture, travel, cuisine, and experiences to 76 countries and Hunan Province.
The completed program is scheduled to air during prime time (7 p.m. to 9 p.m.) in China in October, and the province expects significant promotional effects for Gyeongbuk tourism as a result.
Governor Lee Cheolwoo stated, "Korea and China are close neighbors who have grown together over many years. Gyeongbuk is a region where the roots of traditional culture-such as Hanok, Hanbok, and Hansik-coexist with the globally celebrated K-Culture. Through this broadcast, we hope to showcase the most authentic Korean charm of Gyeongbuk to Chinese tourists and prepare to welcome many visitors in line with the visa-free policy."
He added, "We will make thorough preparations for the 2025 APEC Summit, which is just two months away, to ensure a flawless welcome for our guests. The Gyeongju APEC Summit will become a stage that attracts worldwide attention and serve as an opportunity to broaden the horizons of the national economy."
Meanwhile, Gyeongbuk Province is preparing for an expected increase in Chinese tourists-who are the top group of visa-exempt visitors to Korea-by developing products linked to major cities, creating transit travel courses, and exploring experiential tourism products that reflect K-Hallyu content.
Additionally, the province plans to strengthen promotional efforts for autumn travel products before and after the APEC Summit through global online travel agencies (OTAs), and to provide incentives for special-purpose group tourism such as corporate meetings and incentive (MICE) groups, sports and school trips, and arts exchanges.
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