Starting from the 29th of this month, South Korea will trial a visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists until June 30th next year. During the trial period, Chinese tour groups of three or more people can enter South Korea without a visa and stay for up to 15 days.
The South Korean government introduced the visa-free entry policy for Chinese visitors to promote inbound tourism. It is expected that by the policy's end on June 30th next year, the number of Chinese visitors to South Korea could reach 1 million. Industry sources believe that visitor numbers will not increase significantly at the policy's initial stage, but by the end of the year, as the policy's effects become evident, a significant rise in tourist numbers is anticipated.
The government stated that South Korea’s tourism market is recovering rapidly, and the visa-free policy is expected to further attract Chinese travelers, making a substantial contribution to boosting domestic demand and regional economic development.
This initiative coincides with China's National Day holiday from October 1st to 8th, as well as a series of consecutive holidays in South Korea. Korean businesses are aiming to capitalize on the surge in demand. Shilla Duty Free has already organized cruise tours for Chinese visitors.