'Japanese Tourists Increase by 1238% Year-on-Year'... Signaling the Revival of Tourism to Korea

Tourism Organization Participates in Japan's Largest Travel Expo 'Tourism EXPO Japan'

The Korean Pavilion at the 'Tourism EXPO Japan' held in 2019, before COVID-19. Photo by Korea Tourism Organization

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Based on the increasing trend of Japanese tourists visiting Korea, efforts to attract inbound tourism are being intensified.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization on the 20th, the number of Japanese tourists visiting Korea in July reached 11,798, a 1238.1% increase compared to the same month last year. An official from the organization explained that the increase is due to the easing of tourist visa application restrictions and the shortening of the issuance period.

In response, the organization announced that it will participate in 'Tourism EXPO Japan 2022,' held for four days from the 22nd at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan, and will make an all-out effort to boost demand for Korean tourism within Japan.

At this expo, which includes participation from over 70 countries and regions overseas, the Korea Pavilion will be set up with 30 booths under the slogan 'Exciting Korea,' together with 15 organizations including metropolitan cities, related institutions, and the travel industry nationwide. There will be themed promotional exhibitions by region and institution, Korean cultural experience programs, and various stage events.

An offline special edition of the Korean travel quiz 'Korea Travel Certification,' which was previously held online, will also be conducted. On the 25th, a Korean travel talk show featuring actor Lee Gaeun, who has a strong fan base in both Korea and Japan, will vividly convey the new charms of local tourism such as Busan.

Regional quizzes, cultural experience corners, and airline events will also be held. Targeting 'Bae (映え),' a Japanese trendy word meaning 'good for taking photos to upload on SNS,' a photo zone reproducing the BTS bus stop in Jumunjin at actual size and a large photo wall themed on K-dramas will be installed to attract visitors.

The organization expects the number of Japanese tourists visiting Korea to increase until the end of the year. According to the organization, since the resumption of issuing inbound tourist visas in June, the number of Japanese visitors to Korea has steadily doubled every month.

Furthermore, with major Hallyu events such as the Busan One Asia Festival scheduled for October, the enthusiasm for visiting Korea is expected to rise. Therefore, through active marketing including participation in the expo, the organization plans to accelerate the recovery of demand for Korean tourism within Japan.

Jung Jinsu, head of the Korea Tourism Organization Tokyo office, said, "Over the past two years, the Hallyu fever in Japan has been unprecedentedly intense, and the inbound tourism market is finally stretching its limbs with temporary visa-free entry allowed from August to October. Through the operation of the Korea Pavilion, we aim to introduce newly developed Hallyu tourist destinations and diversified traditional markets in Korea over the past two years, and together with local governments and the tourism industry, we will make every effort to launch a signal flare for the revival of Korean tourism."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.