Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Korea's tourism boom surpasses prepandemic heights

Nearly seven years after global travel ground to a sudden halt, Korea’s inbound tourism market has not merely rebounded — it has decisively expanded past its historical benchmarks. According to data released Thursday by the Korea Tourism Organization, nearly 2 million foreign visitors arrived in June, marking a 23.1 percent increase compared to the same month last year. More significantly, the total of 1.99 million visitors represents a striking 35 percent surge over prepandemic levels recorded in June 2019, underscoring the enduring global appetite for Korean cultural exports and revamped travel infrastructure. The rally was heavily anchored by strong gains across key Asian and Western markets. Mainland China led the influx with nearly 650,000 arrivals — accounting for roughly one in three foreign visitors and jumping 36.8 percent from 2019 levels. Japan followed as the second-largest source market with 348,000 visitors, while Taiwan sent 223,000 travelers, an 88.4 percent leap over prepandemic figures. Western long-haul travel also demonstrated robust momentum, with U.S. arrival

Jul 23, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Korea's tourism boom surpasses prepandemic heights

From mountain peaks to film sets, foreign tourists redefine Seoul itineraries

Foreign visitors are increasingly venturing beyond Seoul's crowded shopping districts and royal landmarks, embracing filming locations, traditional markets and mountain trails as the city's tourism landscape grows more diverse, according to a new data analysis released Wednesday. The Seoul AI Foundation said its analysis of foreign visitors' movements and online reviews found tourism demand spreading across a wider range of destinations throughout the capital in 2025. The study examined 16 major attractions using SK Telecom roaming-based mobility data and Google Maps reviews from foreign visitors. Myeong-dong attracted the largest average daily number of foreign visitors at 100,910. N Seoul Tower followed with 57,370 visitors, ahead of Samseong Station and Coex with 46,813, Gangnam Station with 41,210 and the Hongdae area with 40,213. The fastest growth was recorded at Dongdaemun Design Plaza, where foreign visitor traffic rose 12.1 percent. The Hongdae area and Naksan Park each posted 10.5 percent increases, while Gwangjang Market rose 10.4 percent. N Seoul Tower recorded the highest share

Jul 22, 2026By Lee Kyung-min

From mountain peaks to film sets, foreign tourists redefine Seoul itineraries

Korea turns domestic football road trips into regional tourism engine

On match days across Korea, traveling football supporters have long followed a rigid, hurried routine: board an early morning chartered bus, cheer through 90 minutes at an out-of-town stadium, and immediately head back home to the capital region. Now, tourism officials are betting that those die-hard fans can be coaxed into staying awhile, turning out-of-town matches into weekend getaways. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Tuesday that it is expanding its “K-League Trip Day” initiative for the second half of the 2026 season. Partnering with the K League, the national professional football circuit, the program packages match tickets with curated travel itineraries, local culinary tours and overnight stays across cities outside the greater Seoul area. The decision to broaden the initiative follows a successful pilot program in May. During that trial, roughly 150 supporters of FC Seoul and Incheon United boarded a specially chartered train to Daejeon. Beyond attending the match, fans participated in local food tours, including Daejeon's famous bakery trail — a trend locally d

Jul 21, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Korea turns domestic football road trips into regional tourism engine

Late-night festivities aim to boost regional tourism

Korea’s tourism strategy is moving into the after-hours, as state officials look past traditional daytime attractions like historic palaces and scenic mountain trails to find a fresh economic engine for the provinces. With independent travelers increasingly demanding unique, experiential itineraries, local authorities are betting that the key to reviving provincial economies lies long after the sun goes down. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, alongside the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), launched Monday the second season of the Bambam Festa — its name a play on "bam," the Korean word for night — a coordinated, multicity nighttime tourism relay running through Oct. 10. Spanning 10 specially designated night tourism cities, the initiative is a calculated effort to transform transient day-trippers into overnight guests, injecting vital capital directly into municipalities currently struggling with rural depopulation. The festival, which kicked off this weekend in the southeastern port city of Busan, will rotate through a diverse tapestry of regional hubs. The itinerary t

Jul 20, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Late-night festivities aim to boost regional tourism

InterviewMalaysia eyes 600,000 Korean visitors annually with 'Surreal Experiences'

As Malaysia pushes to welcome 47 million international visitors under its Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, the country is setting its sights on bringing Korean arrivals back above prepandemic levels by promoting authentic local experiences beyond its well-known beach resorts and city attractions. "Korea is one of our priority markets," Kamilia Hani Abdul Halim, director of Tourism Malaysia Seoul, said in an interview with The Korea Times. Last year, about 558,000 Koreans visited Malaysia, making Korea the country's eighth-largest source market for international visitors. This year, Malaysia hopes to increase that figure to 600,000. "Our arrivals from Korea have yet to return to prepandemic levels," she said. "Before COVID-19, we welcomed more than 600,000 Korean visitors, so this is an important milestone for us." The tourism drive forms part of the government's global Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign, which aims to attract 47 million international visitors despite growing uncertainties affecting the global travel industry. At the heart of the campaign is the theme "Surreal Experiences," reflect

Jul 19, 2026By Anna J. Park

Malaysia eyes 600,000 Korean visitors annually with 'Surreal Experiences'

Luxury travelers more captivated by Noryangjin fish market than fine dining

A decade ago, a foreign traveler made an unusual request while planning a trip to Korea. Money was no object. Rather than asking about the cost, he wanted to know what the finest travel experience Korea could offer would be. At the time, the request seemed unusual. In retrospect, however, it foreshadowed a question Korean tourism would eventually have to confront. In recent years, Korea has seen a steady increase in affluent travelers from overseas. Culinary tours and cooking classes organized by O'ngo Food Communications now attract visitors from a wide range of countries, some of whom arrive by private jet. Rather than fitting a few more famous attractions into their itineraries, these travelers seek to experience the country's culture and way of life on their own terms. They place a premium on distinctive experiences that cannot easily be found elsewhere. Last May, O'ngo Food Communications partnered with a global luxury travel network to organize a special culinary program showcasing Korea for travel industry professionals from around the world. Participants experienced traditional

Jul 19, 2026By Hankookilbo

Luxury travelers more captivated by Noryangjin fish market than fine dining

Seoul adds map of 422 water play spots to help families beat summer heat

With the heavy heat of summer settling over the capital, finding a quick, budget-friendly escape for children has often meant navigating a frustrating patchwork of local district websites, social media channels and community blogs. The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it is streamlining this search with a centralized, interactive digital directory designed to help families stay cool without leaving the city. Starting Monday, the municipal Smart Seoul Map began offering a unified guide to 422 water facilities scattered across Seoul’s 25 districts, giving residents real-time access to operational hours, exact locations and nearby amenities on their smartphones. The database, which city officials say will be updated continuously by local district workers through August, maps out a diverse network of public urban oases. The list includes 103 traditional swimming pools, 97 playground water parks, 147 splash pads, and 66 decorative water features. Among the new highlights featured on the map is the newly opened water playground at Gwangnaru Hangang Park. "In the dead of summer, we wanted

Jul 17, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Seoul adds map of 422 water play spots to help families beat summer heat

Deaf K-pop group champions barrier-free travel in Korea

For most travelers, navigating a new city involves checking maps or booking tickets. But for those with physical or sensory disabilities, the barriers are often structural, written into the very design of streets, restaurants and cultural landmarks. To challenge these limits, the Korea Tourism Organization launched a two-day barrier-free travel initiative across the cities of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, and Gangneung, Gangwon Province, this week. Partnering with Big Ocean, a rising K-pop trio and the world’s first deaf idol group, the national tourism agency sought to spotlight "Open Tourism" — a growing movement aimed at eliminating physical and communication hurdles for vulnerable travelers. The first leg of the journey began Wednesday in Suwon, an ancient walled city south of Seoul. A group of 20 deaf and hearing-impaired participants embarked on a sign-language walking tour along the towering stone ramparts of the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress. Assisted by specialized sign-language docents, the travelers tried their hand at traditional Korean archery and ceramic painting. Cruci

Jul 16, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Deaf K-pop group champions barrier-free travel in Korea

Why are RESCENE members drinking 'red water' after meals?

Click here for more articles by Kormedi.com. K-pop girl band RESCENE gained attention for how they manage their blood sugar after meals and showing their down-to-earth daily dorm life. The group gave viewers a glimpse of dorm life on the MBC variety show "Omniscient Interfering View." Each member showcased her distinct personality. Group leader Woni appeared alongside Liv and May, revealing an unexpected comedic flair behind their chic exteriors. Zena, a Gyeongju native, and Minami, a Japanese member fluent in Korean, rounded out the group. The members shared a meal of braised kimchi. After the meal, Woni drank a red liquid mixed with water. The other members, including May, followed her lead. After drinking the beverage, Liv said, "It's delicious." Science and safety of red wine vinegar The program identified Woni's red drink as diluted red wine vinegar. Producers make red wine vinegar by naturally fermenting red grapes in oak barrels over a long period. It contains acetic acid and polyphenols, along with bioactive compounds such as organic acids, phenolic acids and catechins. Acetic acid

Jul 15, 2026By Kormedi.com

Why are RESCENE members drinking 'red water' after meals?

Busan to kick off 10-city night tourism campaign with cinema festival

The coastal city of Busan and the Busan Tourism Organization will host the "2026 Korea Bam Bam Festa Busan" from July 18 to 19 at the Busan Cinema Center, launching a nationwide night tourism festival that will roll out across 10 Korean cities through October. The festival’s name draws from "bam," the Korean word for night. Selected through a competitive national grant from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the joint network includes Busan, Tongyeong, Gangneung, Jeonju, Gongju, Daejeon, Incheon, Jinju, Seongju and Yeosu. As the Korea Tourism Organization's designated national night tourism hub for the year, Busan will host the inaugural leg of the campaign. Under the slogan "A midsummer night's rest — fill up, empty out, stay a while," organizers aim to capitalize on the global shift toward experience-based travel. The event transforms the city's architecture into a twilight retreat featuring an outdoor library, candlelight concerts and night market zone. The outdoor library will feature a night-themed lounge stocked with 500 books, outfitted with bean bags and camping ch

Jul 15, 2026By Jhoo Dong-chan

Travel & Food