China allows group tours to Korea after more than 6 years of restrictions
A street in the shopping area of Myeong-dong in central Seoul is crowded with people and foreign travelers in this March 29 photo. Korea Times fileBy Lee Hae-rinChina has lifted its ban on group tours to Korea after more than six years of unofficial and official sanctions, signaling the return of Chinese travelers, who used to make up the largest portion of visitors to Korea. The sudden relaxation of travel restrictions will likely lead to a boost in Korea's post-pandemic tourism industry.China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism announced, Thursday, that the mainland's central government will allow group travel to 78 countries including Korea, Japan and the U.S. starting that day, following the global easing trend of COVID-19.This is an addition to China's first lifting of the ban in January on group tours to 20 countries since closing down its borders due to the pandemic, and the second one in March to 40 countries, including Nepal, Vietnam, Iran, Jordan, France, Spain and Brazil.Although China's official ban on group tours started in January 2020, in line with the COVID-19 outbreak,
Aug 10, 2023By Lee Hae-rin