Tourism in South Korea

Tourism in South Korea refers to the tourist industry in the Republic of Korea. In 2012, 11.1 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 20th most visited country in the world, and the 6th most visited in Asia. Most non-Korean tourists come fromJapan, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. The recent popularity of Korean popular culture, often known as the "Korean Wave", in these countries has increased tourist arrivals.Seoul is the principal tourist destination for visitors; popular tourist destinations outside of Seoul include Seorak-san national park, the historic city of Gyeongju and subtropical Jeju Island. Traveling toNorth Korea is not normally possible without a special permission, but in recent years organized group tours have allowed groups of South Korean citizens to visit Mount Kumgang.

International and Domestic tourism

The majority of the South Korean tourist industry is supported by domestic tourism. Thanks to the country's extensive network of trains and buses, most of the country lies within a day's round trip of any major city. International tourists come primarily from nearby countries in Asia. Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan together account for roughly 75% of the total number of international tourists.In addition, the Korean Wave has brought increasing numbers of tourists from Southeast Asia and India. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is targeting 100,000 arrivals from India in 2013.

International tourists typically enter the country through Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, which was found to be the world's best airport in 2006. Also international airports in Busan and Jeju are frequently used.

Statistics

Year	Number of international tourists arriving in S. Korea
1970	173,335
1980	976,415
1990	2,958,839
2000	5,321,792
2005	6,022,752
2008	6,890,841
2009	7,817,533
2010	8,797,658
2011	9,794,796
2012	9,190,000
2013	12,175,550
2014	14,201,516
2015	13,231,651

In 2013, travel and tourism (domestic and international) directly contributed KRW26.7 trillion to South Korean GDP and directly supported 617,500 jobs in the country.

Arrivals by country

Most visitors arriving to South Korea in 2015 for tourism by nationality:

Rank	Country	Number
1	China	4,712,133
2	Japan	1,742,531
3	United States	573,194
4	Hong Kong	511,703
5	Taiwan	504,233
6	Thailand	305,953
7	Malaysia	199,705
8	Singapore	142,879
9	Philippines	138,257
10	Russia	121,380
	Total tourists	10,135,489
	Total visitors	13,231,651

Japan

Japan–South Korea tourist comparison 2005-2015

Since Lee Myung-bak's visit to the Liancourt Rocks and demand for the emperor’s apology in 2012, the Japanese public's image of South Korea deteriorated significantly. Japanese tourists to South Korea declined to half from 3.5 million in 2012 to 1.8 million in 2015 while South Korean tourist doubled from 2 million in 2012 to 4 million in 2015.

Tourist attraction

South Korea's historical tourist attractions include the ancient capitals of Seoul, Gyeongju and Buyeo.

Some natural landmarks include the peaks of the Baekdudaegan, particularly Seorak-san and Jiri-san, the caves of Danyang andHwanseongul, and beaches such as Haeundae and Mallipo.

Apart from Jeju island, there are many smaller islands. Excursion ferries are quite common along the south and west coasts and also to Ulleung-do Island, off the east coast. Limited tourism mainly by South Koreans to the Liancourt Rocks (Dokdo) has grown in recent years as a result of the political status of the rocks.

Many local districts hold annual festivals, such as the Boryeong Mud Festival and the Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival.

Major tourist destinations

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul

Hanbat Arboretum
Yuseong Hot Springs
Expo Park
Daejeon Museum of Art

Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon

Gyeonggi Province

Suwon — Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Gwangju(Gyeonggi) — Namhansanseong Fortress
Kuri — Donggureung Tomb Cluster
Paju — DMZ, Panmunjeom
Yongin — Everland, Korean Folk Village, Daejanggeum Park
Gapyeong — The Garden of Morning Calm

Seoraksan in Gangwon Province

Gangwon Province

Beopjusa Temple in Boeun

North Chungcheong Province

Boeun — Beopjusa Temple, Songnisan National Park, Samnyeonsanseong Fortress, Seon Byeong-guk House, Songnisan National Park
Danyang — Guinsa Temple, Gosu Cave, Danyang Ondal Cave, Dodamsambong Peaks
Cheongju — Cheongju National Museum, Cheongnamdae, Sangdangsanseong Fortress
Jincheon — Bell Museum, Botapsa Temple

Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan

South Chungcheong Province

Gongju — Tomb of King Muryeong, Gongsanseong, Magoksa Temple, Donghaksa Temple, Gapsa Temple, Seonhwadang, Gongju National Museum
Buyeo — Buyeo National Museum (Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje), Five storied stone pagoda of Jeongnimsa Temple site, Gungnamji, Nakhwa-am, Muryangsa Temple, Baekje Royal Tombs(Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs)
Cheonan — The independence hall of Korea, Gakwonsa Temple
Seosan — Rock-carved triad buddha, Haemieupseong Fortress
Nonsan — Mireuk-bosal at Gwanchoksa Temple

Hanok Village in Jeonju

North Jeolla Province

Jeonju — Jeonju Hanok Village, Jeondong Catholic Church, Gyeonggijeon Shrine, Hanji Museum, Royal Portrait Museum, Jeonju Gaeksa, Jeonjuhyanggyo Confucian School
Namwon — Gwanghallu Pavilion, Chunhyang Theme Park, Manin Cemetery of Righteous Fighters, Silsangsa Temple, Gyoryong Sanseong Fortress
Gochang — Gochangeupseong Fortress, Seonunsa Temple, Pansori Museum
Iksan — Mireuksaji Pagoda,
Gimje — Geumsansa Temple
Gunsan — Hirotsu House, Dongguksa Temple
Buan — Tapsa Temple, Byeonsanbando National Park

Nagan Eupseong Folk Village inSuncheon

South Jeolla

Yeosu — Yeosu Jinnamgwan, Hyangiram, Yi Sun Shin Square
Suncheon — Songgwangsa Temple, Seonamsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village
Mokpo — Mokpo Modern History Museum, Gatbawi Rock, Yudal Mountain
Haenam — Ttangggut (End of the Land) Village, Mihwangsa Temple
Gurye — Hwaeomsa Temple
Damyang — Damyang Juknokwon, Metasequoia-lined Road, Soswaewon Garden
Boseong — Boseong Green Tea Field Daehan Dawon

Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju

Seokguram in Gyeongju

Hwangnyongsa Temple Site(under restoration) in Gyeongju

North Gyeongsang Province

Gyeongju — Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram, Anapji Pond, Gyeongju National Museum, Cheonmachong Tomb, Cheomseongdae Observatory, Yangdong Folk Village, Bunhwangsaji (Bunhwangsa Temple Site)
Andong — Hahoe Folk Village, Hahoe Mask Museum, Dosanseowon Confucian School, Byeongsanseowon Confucian School, Wollyeongo Bridge
Yeongju — Buseoksa Temple
Mungyeong — Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park
Ulleung — Dokdo Island

South Gyeongsang Province

Yangsan — Tongdosa Temple
Hapcheon — Haeinsa Temple
Tongyeong — Dongpirang Wall Painting Village
Jinju — Jinjuseong, National Jinju Museum
Geoje — Historic Park of Geoje POW Camp, Sinseondae
Namhae — Gacheon Daerangi Village, German Village
Gimhae — Tomb of King Suro
Changnyeong — Upo Wetland

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall in Jeju Island

Jeju Special Self-governing Province

Mount Halla
Cheonjeyeon and Cheonjiyeon waterfalls
Hallim Park
Yakcheonsa Temple
Manjanggul
Jeju Stone Statue Park

Events

South Korea has hosted many international events, including the 1988 Summer Olympics, the 1993 Taejon Expo, the 2002 FIFA World Cup (jointly hosted with Japan), the 2005 APEC conference, the 2010 G-20 Seoul summit and the 2014 Asian Games. The 2018 Winter Olympics will be held in Pyeongchang.

tourisum

Friday, June 10, 2016