The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST), in collaboration with the Visit Korea Committee (VKC), is marking China’s National Day holiday (Oct. 1.- Oct 7.) with a special “Welcome Week” between September 26 and October 11. A number of key locations will host events, including Gimpo and Jeju International Airports, Busan International Passenger Terminal and Cruise Terminal, and Seoul’s Gangnam Square. On September 26, JANG Mi Ran, MCST's 2nd Vice Minister, personally greeted international tourists at an opening ceremony held at Jeju International Airport. Earlier this year, from April 26 to May 10, the MCST and VKC hosted a similar “Welcome Week” at the international airports in Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju to coincide with Labor Day and Golden Week celebrations in China and Japan.

A Host of Tourist Benefits and Korean Travel Information, Along with Traditional Music Performances

Vice Minister JANG Mi Ran Attends the Sept. 26 “Welcome Week” Opening Ceremony, and the “Visit Korea Year”  Event in Jeju

“Welcome Week” will see special booths set up at Jeju (Sept. 26 – Oct. 11) and Gimpo (Sept. 28 – Oct. 11) International Airports, offering visitors 'MU:DS'[1] souvenirs from the National Museum of Korea, and showcasing award-winning works from the 2023 Korea Tourism Contest. While there, tourists can also access a range of shopping, transport, and other service benefits, provided under a partnership initiative among tourism-related industries. Furthermore, essential travel information about Korea’s food, transportation, and shopping options will also be available. At Seoul’s Gangnam Square (10. 1.~10.), meanwhile, visitors may participate in K-pop dance experiences and collect souvenirs, while the Busan National Gugak Center will hold performances at the city’s International Passenger Terminal (BIPT) on October 13 and 29, further enriching tourists’ cultural experience.

The Welcome Week opening ceremony at Jeju International Airport on September 26 saw Vice Minister JANG Mi Ran, Visit Korea Committee Chairperson LEE Boo Jin, as well as actress JIN Seo Yeon, a native of the island, in attendance. As part of the proceedings, Vice Minister JANG personally welcomed tourists and decorated a mandarin tree with wish cards, representing the high hopes for Korean tourism. She later stopped by the “Visit Korea Year - Starbucks Welcome Event for International Tourists in Jeju”[2] at Starbucks Handam Beach DT, where she mingled with a large group of international tourists and planted seedlings to symbolize a warm welcome to Korea and best wishes for a joyful trip.

Exclusive Travel Promotions for Chinese Tourists, Special Booth Located in Myeongdong

Around 120,000 Chinese tourists are expected to visit Korea during their National Day holiday. Despite the economic challenges in China, this figure represents an 85% recovery from 2019 pre-COVID-19 figures and a 150% jump from last year.

To attract greater volumes of Chinese visitors, MCST and the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have teamed up with leading online travel agencies (OTAs), like Tong Cheong Travel, Airbnb, and Klook, to devise exclusive travel packages centered around various elements like university life, autumn tourism, and regional experiences. From September 27 to October 10, as part of a collaboration with Alipay, a promotional area in Myeongdong will offer a range of activities and benefits such as receipt validation events, coupon books, and a photo booth. The aim is to foster a welcoming atmosphere for Chinese tourists and enhance their experience of Korea.

Vice Minister JANG remarked, "As the inbound tourism market continues to gain momentum, we will focus on providing unique K-content experiences, including K-pop, food, and sports, to make travel in Korea even more enjoyable for both domestic and international visitors. We will also work diligently to improve infrastructure at tourist destinations nationwide and refine systems to ensure a seamless experience for all travelers."