The number of people entering and leaving Korea is expected to exceed 60 million for the first time this year, according to Ministry of Justice Monday.
This number includes foreign visitors, Korean travelers and flight attendants.
According to the ministry, as of the end of September, approximately 46 million have arrived in or departed Korea this year, a 10-percent rise from 41 million for the same period of last year. Considering the pace, the total number is expected to surpass the 60 million mark by end of this year, the ministry said.
It's been two years since that the number topped 50 million.
The rapid growth of the tally is largely thanks to the increase in Chinese travelers.
Government statistics show that almost 160,000 Chinese visited Korea in one week alone, for the Chinese holiday between Oct. 1-7. In 1960, only 34,000 Chinese entered and left Korea all year.
The ministry says Chinese tourists are leading the record-breaking trend. The Chinese accounted for 45.36 percent of the 10 million foreigners who arrived. This was an increase of almost 40 percent from 2013.
The rising number of Chinese tourists to Korea is primarily served by the rise of middle class in China. An affordable exchange rate between the yuan and won is another factor. Strong Japanese yen and weak political ties with Japan and China are serving Korea, which is suffering from the loss of Japanese tourists.
The tourism industry has been moving fast to maintain the flow. One success story is a cruise package between Jeju Island and China. In the first half of this year, 450,000 Chinese arrived to the tourist island via luxurious ferries. The government began waving visas for Chinese visitors to the island.
For those who arrive at the airport, the government also loosened an immigration regulation to attract more Chinese tourists to stay longer and spend money. For example, since September, Chinese passengers, who have a layover at Incheon International Airport, can stay in Korea for 120 hours for shopping and sightseeing. The limit used to be 72 hours.
Among the 46 million travelers, 24 million were Koreans.
This number includes foreign visitors, Korean travelers and flight attendants.
According to the ministry, as of the end of September, approximately 46 million have arrived in or departed Korea this year, a 10-percent rise from 41 million for the same period of last year. Considering the pace, the total number is expected to surpass the 60 million mark by end of this year, the ministry said.
It's been two years since that the number topped 50 million.
The rapid growth of the tally is largely thanks to the increase in Chinese travelers.
Government statistics show that almost 160,000 Chinese visited Korea in one week alone, for the Chinese holiday between Oct. 1-7. In 1960, only 34,000 Chinese entered and left Korea all year.
The ministry says Chinese tourists are leading the record-breaking trend. The Chinese accounted for 45.36 percent of the 10 million foreigners who arrived. This was an increase of almost 40 percent from 2013.
The rising number of Chinese tourists to Korea is primarily served by the rise of middle class in China. An affordable exchange rate between the yuan and won is another factor. Strong Japanese yen and weak political ties with Japan and China are serving Korea, which is suffering from the loss of Japanese tourists.
The tourism industry has been moving fast to maintain the flow. One success story is a cruise package between Jeju Island and China. In the first half of this year, 450,000 Chinese arrived to the tourist island via luxurious ferries. The government began waving visas for Chinese visitors to the island.
For those who arrive at the airport, the government also loosened an immigration regulation to attract more Chinese tourists to stay longer and spend money. For example, since September, Chinese passengers, who have a layover at Incheon International Airport, can stay in Korea for 120 hours for shopping and sightseeing. The limit used to be 72 hours.
Among the 46 million travelers, 24 million were Koreans.
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