First Group of Foreign Tourists Visit Jeju Since COVID-19 Pandemic

by Kim Heeyun

Published 03 Jun.2022 11:09(KST)

Full-Scale Launch to Attract Foreign Tourists Using Domestic Regional International Airports

According to the Korea Tourism Organization on the 3rd, 178 Thai group tourists departing from Bangkok entered using the visa-free entry system at Jeju Airport, which resumed on the 1st. These tourists are expected to enjoy a 3-night, 4-day trip to Jeju Island until the 6th. Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The first group of foreign tourists have arrived in Korea through Jeju International Airport since the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization on the 3rd, 178 Thai group tourists departing from Bangkok entered Korea using the visa-free entry system at Jeju Airport, which resumed on the 1st. These tourists plan to enjoy a 3-night, 4-day trip to Jeju Island until the 6th.

The tourists will travel without separate quarantine. This is due to the newly applied exemption from quarantine for overseas vaccinated travelers using regional international airports starting from the 1st. Accordingly, inbound tourism through regional international airports such as Gimhae, Gimpo, Daegu, and Yangyang is expected to gain momentum.

In response, the Korea Tourism Organization, Jeju Province, Jeju Tourism Organization, Jeju Tourism Association, Korea Airports Corporation, and Jeju Air held a welcoming event titled ‘Travel to Jeju-Korea Begins Again’ for these first foreign group tourists. They also distributed materials introducing the top 10 safe inbound tourist destinations in Jeju, personal hygiene guidelines, welcome kits, and conducted commemorative photo sessions.

The organization has made revitalizing regional tourism through regional airports a key promotional marketing strategy this year and is working with nine national LCC airlines to carry out ▲ welcoming events and promotions for arrivals at regional airports ▲ expansion and promotional marketing support for overseas routes at regional airports ▲ development of charter flight tourism products to Korea ▲ and a contest for travel products to Korea via regional airports.

Additionally, as part of this project, promotional content such as the Korea Tourism overseas promotional video ‘Feel the Rhythm of Korea’ is provided to airlines to support regional tourism marketing, and there are plans to attract foreign tourists by linking with Hallyu concerts held in the regions in the future.

Joo Sangyong, Director of International Tourism at the Korea Tourism Organization, said, “We will develop various tourism products and content so that more foreign tourists can enjoy the true beauty of every corner of Korea through regional international airports, and actively expand cooperation with the airline and travel industries.”