Presidential candidates vow to boost tourism after years of policy lapses
Kim Moon-soo, presidential candidate of the conservative People Power Party, announces his land development plan, which includes tourism pledges, during a press conference at the party headquarters in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
After years of criticism over a policy vacuum, Korea’s presidential candidates are finally addressing tourism in their platforms — recognizing the industry’s potential as a key driver of economic growth and national prosperity.
This renewed focus underscores a critical recognition: A vibrant tourism sector is not merely about leisure, but a potent engine for economic diversification, job creation and cultural diplomacy. Neglecting this industry risks squandering a significant opportunity to bolster national revenue and enhance Korea's global soft power, particularly as the nation seeks to navigate a complex post-pandemic economic landscape.
Kim Moon-soo of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) vowed Tuesday to “elevate Korea’s tourism to a national strategic industry” and pledged to develop five major "K-pop cities" to draw in foreign visitors.
At a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in Seoul, he unveiled a set of tourism pledges spanning a range of themes.
He pledged to build a peace-themed ecological belt in the demilitarized zone along northern Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces, host road cycling tours in the area and develop eco-trails connecting UNESCO-designated geoparks along the Imjin and Hantan rivers.
He also vowed to create what he calls a “cultural school tourism belt” along the west coast, featuring eco-friendly tourism content that integrates arts, sports and history. In addition, he proposed developing a 1,500-kilometer “Blue Link Belt” stretching from Busan to Haenam, South Jeolla Province, to showcase the region’s historical significance as a core industrial hub of Korea.
Notably, Kim pledged to build large concert venues in five major cities to establish K-pop hubs, while expanding tourism infrastructure — such as accommodations and transportation — to improve the travel experience. He also promised to revitalize regional areas by subsidizing monthly rent and housing for young people in key tourist cities and to launch a tourism startup contest to support aspiring entrepreneurs and encourage them to build careers in their hometowns.
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) pledged to boost local economies by expanding government-backed vacation subsidies and promoting the so-called “workcation” model — a blend of work and vacation where people work remotely while staying in a different region for an extended period.
Lee Jae-myung, presidential candidate of the liberal Democratic Party of Korea, speaks during a campaign event in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap
His campaign website also states plans to let central and local governments offer subsidies to Korean nationals booking trips to other cities, easing the financial burden of domestic travel.
Although he has yet to unveil a comprehensive tourism platform like Kim’s, the DPK candidate has repeatedly emphasized during recent campaign events his commitment to developing key assets in cities to transform them into attractive travel destinations.
An official at Lee’s election camp said Tuesday that the complete version of the pledge book, set to be released this week, will likely include pledges specifically for the tourism industry.
“Candidate Lee Jae-myung views the tourism industry as a vital sector tied directly to people’s livelihoods. The party aims to make tourism a new growth engine through targeted policy support,” DPK Rep. Jeon Hyun-heui said during a party event to launch a special tourism committee with industry officials at the National Assembly.
These policy proposals follow years of criticism from industry experts and insiders, who say politicians have been overlooking tourism despite its significant economic potential.
Foreign tourists dressed in hanbok, or traditional Korean clothing, explore Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, Monday. Yonhap
Earlier this month, the Korea Association of Travel Agents delivered a set of policy proposals to presidential candidates.
“The travel and tourism industry has long been neglected, despite being a strategic sector that contributes significantly to the national economy, stimulates broader economic growth and generates valuable foreign currency,” the group said, urging the next government to provide stronger support.
The proposal outlined several administrative measures to elevate tourism as a key industry and offer financial support on par with the manufacturing and export sectors.
Korea’s current tourism budget accounts for less than 20 percent of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s overall funding. Previous administrations’ national agendas offered no clear strategy to strengthen tourism beyond promoting inbound travel, despite the global rise in popularity of Korean culture.
Korea’s tourism industry makes up a much smaller share of its GDP than the global average. According to the culture ministry and the World Travel and Tourism Council, the global tourism sector was valued at $11.39 trillion in 2024, representing 9.1 percent of worldwide GDP.
However, Korea’s share during the same period was just 3.8 percent, trailing behind most developed countries whose tourism industries align more closely with their GDP rankings.
“Tourism is the key industry that will drive Korea’s future economic power and regional revitalization, even more than the IT and semiconductor sectors,” said Seo Won-seok, a professor at Kyung Hee University’s College of Hotel and Tourism Management who also chairs the Tourism Sciences Society of Korea.
“Regardless of who comes to power, the next administration must prioritize the tourism industry by securing funding and making sustained investments,” he said.