Korea Airports Corp. (KAC) is considering adding around 4,500 flights between Korea’s provincial airports and Chinese cities by the end of this year. This decision comes after the Chinese government lifted a ban on group tours to Korea, which is expected to result in a surge in Chinese travelers visiting Korea in the coming months.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Chinese travelers entering Korea through local airports exceeded 125,000 in the first half of 2023, a recovery of only 18.8 percent compared to 2019. However, with the lifting of the travel ban, the KAC anticipates a significant increase in demand for travel to Korea, particularly around China’s National Day on September 29.
To attract Chinese travelers, the KAC plans to develop new flight routes, offer duty-free merchandise discount promotions, establish a dedicated goods pickup zone for Chinese group travelers, and create low-cost tour packages. Additionally, they will collaborate with local governments to operate tourism charter flights related to Korean cultural events and focus on developing corporate incentive travel programs and medical tourism packages.
The KAC aims to attract approximately 720,000 Chinese travelers by implementing these strategies. They will work closely with local governments and the tourism industry to ensure that Chinese tourists can conveniently access local airports and enjoy their visit to Korea.
This move is significant for the Korean tourism industry, as China has traditionally been an important source of visitors. The ban on group tours to Korea, implemented in 2017 due to political tensions between the two countries, had a severe impact on the Korean tourism sector. However, the lifting of the ban is expected to lead to a revival of Chinese tourism in Korea.
Korea’s provincial airports will play a crucial role in accommodating the influx of Chinese travelers. These airports are located in various regions outside of Seoul, such as Busan, Jeju, and Incheon. By adding more flights between these airports and Chinese cities, the KAC aims to provide Chinese tourists with convenient access to popular destinations in Korea.
In addition to improving transportation infrastructure, the KAC is also focusing on enhancing the overall travel experience for Chinese tourists. This includes offering duty-free discounts on merchandise, creating a designated pickup zone for Chinese group travelers, and developing affordable tour packages that cater to their preferences and needs.
Furthermore, the KAC plans to collaborate with local governments to organize tourism charter flights that coincide with Korean cultural events. This not only provides unique opportunities for Chinese travelers to experience Korean culture but also promotes tourism in different regions of Korea.
The KAC recognizes the potential of corporate incentive travel and medical tourism in attracting high-end Chinese travelers. By developing incentive travel programs that reward high-performing employees with trips to Korea and offering medical tourism packages, they aim to tap into these growing markets and encourage longer stays and higher spending from Chinese tourists.
Overall, the KAC’s decision to increase flight connections between Korea’s provincial airports and Chinese cities and implement various strategies to attract Chinese travelers is a response to the lifting of the ban on group tours to Korea. By capitalizing on the anticipated surge in Chinese tourism, the KAC aims to support the recovery of the Korean tourism industry and strengthen its relationship with China in the post-pandemic era.