Starting from September, there will be a significant increase in the number of weekly flights to and from China. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/sayan
MICE planners will find it easier to organise meetings in South Korea
after the country temporarily exempted travellers from 22 visa-waiver
nations from the K-ETA, which is the country's mandatory online travel
permit and transit visa requirement.
This exemption includes travellers from the United States, Japan,
Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Macau, Canada, and Britain, among others.
The entry rejection rate among their nationals is low, making it easier
for MICE attendees to enter the country.
South Korea has a proven track record of hosting successful MICE
events, and its advanced technology, infrastructure, and top-notch
facilities make it a top choice for MICE planners. Before the pandemic,
the country welcomed a record high of 17.5 million foreign visitors in
2019, generating tourism revenue of US$20.7 billion.
To further boost its tourism industry, the South Korean government
plans to resume transit visa exemptions for transit passengers from 34
nations, including the United States and European countries. The
government also plans to ease visa issuance for group visitors from
Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia and create new visa programmes
for high-income foreigners and young people.
South Korea is also offering various large-scale events related to
K-pop, shopping, food, and other cultural items. Major K-pop concerts
will take place across the country from May through October, including
the Seoul Festa 2023 in April and a concert in the port city of Busan in
May. More online duty-free shops will open, and discount coupons and
various events will be available during the upcoming duty-free festival
in May.
The government is also planning to come up with a variety of tour
programmes centred on medical services, as well as major events on
Korean alcoholic beverages, beef, seafood, and various foods. This will
not only attract tourists interested in medical tourism but also those
who want to experience Korean cuisine and beverages.
Furthermore, South Korea plans to increase the number of
international flights to pre-pandemic levels. By September, flights to
and from China will be increased to 954 per week, up from the current 63
flights, and flights for Japan will be increased to 1,004 per week from
the current 863 flights.
The government's initiatives to ease travel restrictions, offer
large-scale events, and increase flight connections make it an even more
attractive destination for MICE planners.