Korea receives 9 million foreign visitors in 2011

Korea's 9 millionth visitor of 2011, Takenaka Teruko from Japan, is greeted by Lee Charm, CEO of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Choe Kwang-shik, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (photo: Yonhap News).

2011 was a busy year for Korea's tourism industry, as the country welcomed over 9 million tourists throughout the year. On December 1, a special event was held at Incheon International Airport in recognition of the milestone, rolling out the red carpet and offering gifts for the 9 millionth visitor to Korea. This is an improvement on last year, which achieved the milestone of 8 million visitors.

Jeju Island in particular set a high benchmark for foreign visitors, particularly from China. On the morning of December 16, the one millionth foreign visitor to Jeju for the year of 2011, landed at Jeju International Airport. Over half of the tourists visiting Jeju are from China, thanks to an increase in air routes and sea cruises between Jeju and the Chinese mainland, as well as a visa-waiver program allowing Chinese nationals to stay on the island up to 30 days without visa. Many Chinese tourists visit as part of incentive programs at work, arriving in large numbers. The highest amount at once was set by Baojian, who sent 1,300 of its employees to visit Korea and Jeju at the same time.

Jeju had an especially high profile due to its successful campaign to be named one of the New7Wonders of Nature. Jeju is also the world's only recipient of UNESCO's Triple Crown – having been designated a Biosphere Reserve in 2002, a World Natural Heritage Site in 2007, and a Global Geopark in 2010. The island has many natural wonders to behold, such as Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, Jusangjeollidae Cliff, and Hallasan Mountain. Hikers can follow the Jeju Olle trails, and many museums and cultural attractions offer insights into Jeju's unique traditional culture.

Korea's 9 millionth visitor of 2011, Takenaka Teruko from Japan, is greeted by Lee Charm, CEO of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and Choe Kwang-shik, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (photo: Yonhap News). The cruise liner Oriental Dragon transports Chinese tourists from Shanghai to Jeju Island (photo: Yonhap News).

There were many other special events and festivals on the mainland as well. The 2011 Gyeongju World Culture Expo aimed to attract 1.5 million tourists from August to October, and also hosted the UNWTO General Assembly. Daegu hosted the 2011 IAAF World Championships in Athletics, bringing together 1,943 athletes from 204 nations between August 27 and September 4. Visitors also flocked to Hapcheon County in Gyeongsangnam-do (South Gyeongsang Province) for the millennial anniversary of the Tripitaka Koreana, the world's most comprehensive and oldest intact Buddhist scriptures, for a rare public showing of the collection written on 80,000 wooden blocks.

Visitors to Korea don't have to leave Seoul to have a great experience. Foreigners and locals were surveyed about what they felt were Seoul's main attractions. Koreans cited places like the Han River, the city's many palaces, Namsan, and Cheonggyecheon Stream, while foreigners went for more intangible features such as the local food, friendly locals, and shopping. Popular among all was public transportation, the second top choice among foreigners and the third for Koreans.

(left) The Han River was selected by Koreans as Seoul's greatest attraction; (right) Korean food was selected by foreigners as Seoul's greatest attraction.
Korea's traditional and remote cultural hotspots are becoming easier to reach as the transportation infrastructure improves and expands. The completion of the AREX Line in late December last year, linking Incheon International Airport with Seoul Station, allows visitors easy access to the city. A new automated subway has been completed, connecting Gangnam in Seoul with Bundang in Seongnam. Also, the Gyeongchun Line has been reopened, allowing convenient travel to Chuncheon City in Gangwon-do (Gangwon Province). High-speed KTX train service to Yeosu in Jeollanam-do (South Jeolla Province) was introduced in October, which should allow easy access from the nation's capital to Yeosu, host of the 2012 World Fair.
Coming into 2012, the country is preparing to launch the 2012 Korea Convention Year, aimed at attracting the meetings and convention industry, offering incentives for meetings, conventions, and incentive tours. The goal of the Korea Tour Organization for 2012 is to attract 10 million tourists.