Travel in South Korea

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) predicts a remarkable year for Travel & Tourism in South Korea, with significant growth in its economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending. According to the latest data, the sector’s contribution to the national economy is expected to reach a record ₩96.2TN this year, representing a 13.6% year-on-year increase. This contribution underscores the sector’s crucial role, accounting for 4.3% of the nation’s economy.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, July 26, and here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today. 

While commercial air service was slowly recovering on Friday after a technology outage caused thousands of flights worldwide to be canceled or delayed, the ripple effect from the disruption left airports crowded with passengers and airlines working to get planes and crews back in position.

In a shift in global mobility rankings, Singapore has claimed the top spot in the 2024 Henley Passport Index released on Wednesday, granting its citizens visa-free access to 195 countries.

Taiwan is set to join the growing list of East Asian countries offering digital nomad visas.

A few places immediately come to mind when it comes to LGBTQ+ travel—whether it’s New York’s historic Greenwich Village or Buenos Aires’ bustling Palermo District, Berlin’s underground Schöneberg or London’s nightclub-packed Soho. But Asia is featuring more frequently on travel itineraries that engage with queer communities around the world, thanks to a rising global visibility of what’s at the forefront of queer entertainment and culture on the continent. From the electrifying drag scene in Manila to the societal recognition of trans identities in Kathmandu, these Asian cities give dimension to celebrating queerness in all its global forms.

Japan is bracing for a tourism boom like never before. With a record 35 million foreign visitors expected this year and tourism spending projected to hit an unprecedented JPY 8 trillion ($51 billion), the country is seeing a surge driven by a weak yen.

Dear Anonymous Kind Stranger Who Didn’t Include a Return Address:

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is aiming to increase tourism revenue in the country by 7.5% next year.

South Korea has announced the K-pop girl group NewJeans as its tourism ambassador.

Corporate travel, flying taxis, and hotel tech.

Agoda reports top Asian markets searching for accommodations in Germany during EURO 2024, with South Korea leading and Munich being the most searched city.

Trip.com Group reports a significant rise in European bookings, driven by football events and a major sporting event in Paris, with notable increases from Asian travelers, particularly Chinese, who favor luxury stays and longer visits.

Indonesia is planning to introduce visa-free entry for tourists from 20 nations, including India. The country’s tourism minister, Sandiaga Uno, has announced that the policy is in the works and it will be finalized before October this year. The move aims to boost international tourism in Indonesia, Uno said. 

UFI named Fiera Milano winner of the 2024 Industry Partners Award for their collaborative green stand design initiative with Montecolino, showcasing industry synergy and innovation.

As the Asia Pacific region continues to be the growth engine for luxury travel, a new comprehensive report from the Luxury Group by Marriott International has identified new expectations and travel preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travelers in Asia Pacific. Across the region, 68% are planning to spend more on travel over the next 12 months – 89% among Indians - with 74% planning to travel within Asia Pacific and 88% prioritizing gastronomy as the reason to travel. One in four of all holidays planned (25%) are celebrations. Three distinct new groups of luxury traveler have emerged – the ‘Venture Travelist’ who seeks business opportunities when traveling, ‘Experience Connoisseur’ Millennials who are traveling for enrichment and ‘Timeless Adventurer’, over 65s who are building their own itineraries and exploring places before they become popular.

Jun 19, 2024 • 8 min read

Think of Goa and what comes to mind? Beaches, nightlife, and parties. Goa’s Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte welcomes this image, but he wants travelers to see beyond it.

Low-cost carrier IndiGo has introduced a new hotel booking option on its website and app. The airline said the aim of the integrated service is to allow passengers the convenience of a one-step solution. 

If you're longing to explore Seoul's rich history and famous food scene, now could be the perfect time to plan a trip. Delta Air Lines has excellent award availability to the South Korean capital this summer — and you can travel in comfort in its Delta One business-class suites for only 130,000 SkyMiles.

The origins of Il Delfino, a new oceanside inn in the surf town of Yamba on Australia’s east coast, go back to its founder’s childhood. “I grew up in this area, fascinated by this ramshackle surf cottage,” says the Australian fashion stylist Sheree Commerford. “Having it was a secret dream for as long as I can remember.” At the end of 2021, Commerford bought the building, which had previously been a rustic family lodge, and spent the last two years transforming it into a four-room inn and bungalow that she opened last month. “We wanted to keep all its original midcentury features but add inspiration from some of my favorite travels in the Mediterranean,” she says. That means whitewashed walls, citrus trees in terra-cotta pots and a terrace with Italian-made sun beds and uninterrupted ocean views. The guest rooms, which are named for Italian destinations like Ravello and Ischia, are all equipped with kitchens and each feature a colorful mural by the Australian artist Heidi Middleton. There’s no restaurant at the hotel, but staff will organize breakfast boxes upon request and recommend places to eat in Yamba. They can also help arrange whale-watching excursions, in-house massages and surf lessons.