ASIATODAY.ID, SEOUL – The government of South Korea has officially unveiled a sweeping tourism policy reform package, including plans to grant visa-free entry to Indonesian tourists. The move forms part of Seoul’s ambitious strategy to attract 30 million foreign visitors in the coming years.
The announcement was made during the 11th National Tourism Strategy Meeting, chaired by President Lee Jae Myung and attended by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, along with representatives from 15 ministries and key players in the tourism industry.
Pilot Scheme for Group Travelers
Under the proposed pilot program, Indonesian tourists traveling in groups of at least three people will be eligible for visa-free entry.
In addition, Chinese nationals and visitors from Southeast Asian countries who have previously traveled to South Korea will qualify for five-year multiple-entry visas. Residents of major metropolitan cities in those countries may even be eligible to apply for 10-year visas.
South Korea also plans to expand its automated immigration gate system, which currently applies to travelers from 18 countries such as Japan, Singapore, and Australia, to include all European Union nationals.
Competing with Japan, Targeting 30 Million Visitors
In 2025, South Korea recorded more than 18 million foreign tourist arrivals, surpassing its pre-pandemic level of around 17 million. The figure represents a 15% increase compared to 2024.
However, the country still trails Japan, which posted a record 43 million international visitors during the same period, partly driven by a weaker yen that made travel more affordable.
Culture Minister Chae Hwi-young described the global momentum of K-pop, K-dramas, and Korean cultural exports as a golden opportunity for the domestic tourism sector. To capitalize on this trend, the government has launched an initiative titled “K-Tourism Embraces the World.”
Expanding Regional Access and Transport Connectivity
The new strategy also aims to reduce tourist concentration in Seoul by improving regional accessibility. Measures include:
– Increasing direct international flights to regional airports with cost incentives and special air traffic rights.
– Expanding domestic connecting flights from Incheon to regional hubs.
– Extending late-night airport bus services beyond Seoul to Chungcheong and Gangwon provinces.
– Allowing earlier reservations for high-speed KTX train tickets, beyond the current one-month booking window.
Crackdown on Overcharging Tourists
Authorities are also taking a firm stance against unfair pricing practices targeting foreign visitors. A zero-tolerance policy will be implemented for businesses that fail to display prices or violate declared rates.
Key measures include:
– Mandatory price reporting for accommodation providers.
– Caps on peak-season rental car price increases on Jeju Island.
– Penalties for hotels that cancel reservations without valid justification.
The government is also preparing legislation to promote accommodation standards and develop premium lodging models inspired by Spain’s “parador” concept, converting traditional hanok houses, temples, and folk villages into upscale heritage stays.
Tourism as a National Strategic Industry
President Lee emphasized that tourism must be regarded as a national strategic industry, not merely a travel service sector. The goal is to transform global fans of Korean culture into actual visitors who contribute directly to the domestic economy.
As part of a broader campaign, the government is preparing a “Visit Korea Year” program for 2027–2029, focusing on lifestyle-based tourism such as K-beauty routes, K-food culinary tours, and Korean-style hiking experiences.
If fully implemented, the visa-free policy could position Indonesia as one of South Korea’s most significant outbound tourism markets in the coming years. (AT Network)
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