Starting in September, Chinese individuals planning to travel to Korea will be exempt from obtaining a visa if they use group tours (package travel). The government has temporarily allowed visa-free entry to stimulate domestic demand. However, Chinese travelers already prefer individual travel rather than package tours, leading to differing opinions on whether this measure will be effective. Merchants in popular areas among Chinese tourists have expressed doubts about its effectiveness, but travel agencies welcomed the decision.
On June 6, the government approved visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists from September 29 of this year until June 30 of next year during a meeting of the 'Tourism Revitalization Mini Policy Task Force (TF)' chaired by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the Government Seoul Office. The government expects this will stimulate additional demand for visits to Korea and revitalize the local economy.
In response to an economic slowdown last year, China implemented a visa-free entry policy targeting Western countries to boost domestic demand. Korea was included in the list of visa-free countries last November. Prior to that, the number of Koreans traveling to China was about 200,000 per month, but it recorded 297,924 in May of this year, a 54.6% increase compared to a year ago.
However, it remains uncertain if a similar situation will occur this time. The visa-free entry benefits apply only to those who purchase package travel products. According to the Incheon Research Institute, as of 2023, 95% of Chinese visitors to Korea were individual travelers, while group tourists accounted for 4.7%. Tourists who purchased only airfares and accommodation (air+hotel) represented 0.3%. The Incheon Research Institute analyzed that the 20s and 30s age group is leading travel to Korea, which is related to changing tourism trends.
In fact, merchants met in Myeongdong, in the Jung-gu district of Seoul, where Chinese tourists frequently visit, expressed low expectations for the visa-free entry. Currency exchange operator Ms. Lee (62) said, "Recently, most Chinese tourists are individual travelers," and she added, "The trend has already changed, so I don't know if this will be effective." Restaurant employee Mr. Lim (47) noted, "The way people enjoy traveling to Korea has changed, so I'm skeptical that Chinese tourists will come to Myeongdong just because visa-free entry is allowed."
However, a representative from Hanatour noted, "Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese individual travel and corporate group travel have recovered significantly, but general package travel has not. It's at about 10-20% of previous levels," adding that "with the regulations lifted, demand is expected to recover."
Authorities stated that since visa-free entry is limited to Chinese group tourists, the rise in illegal stayers would be minimal. A Ministry of Justice official said, "If Chinese tourists do not participate in package tours and drop out, there will be penalties that reduce the number of tourists travel agencies can recruit," explaining, "There may be side effects, but attracting tourists is deemed more urgent."