South Korea manages record tourists arrivals in 2006

By Satish Gupta | eTN Asia
Tourism in South Korea has reached a new high as the foreign tourists arrival to the country recently touched an all-time high of over six million this year. The record figure was recently achieved, according to the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

South Korea is expected to end this year with 6.15 million, breaking the previous record of 6.02 million last year. Such achievement is being lauded by local media as its being pointed that record figure is despite the strengthening of won, the North Korean nuclear crisis and a bird flu outbreak. Government authorities had forecast 6.5 million tourists to visit Korea in 2006 at the beginning of the year.

"There were obviously a lot of difficulties this year, and things could have been a lot worse. Passing the six million mark in tourists against this year is something to celebrate," reportedly said Kim Sung-un, an official from KTO's market research team. "We have to do a better job of identifying our markets and breaking them down geographically, and provide differentiated programs to tourists from each region."

The Korea Times reported: "However, government numbers prove that the increase in foreign travelers is not enough to offset the continuing drop in average spending per visitor, which is directly related to the stronger won. Through January and October this year, foreign tourists to Korea spent an average of $858 per person, a drop from last year's $968. In 2004, foreign tourists spent $1,045 in Korea per visit. In comparison, Korean outbound travelers spent an average of $1,117 per visit during the January – October period this year, the KTO said."

It is being felt that there is room for long-term development projects to create new tourist attractions such as the southwestern coastal islands belt and the Incheon special economic zone. The Korea Herald highlighted that the Culture-Tourism Ministry should share its administrative endeavors in developing the "software" for the tourism business, including universally acceptable food menus at reasonable prices, and pop art performances targeting a tourist audience.

"Most important of all, it should establish an efficient in-country tour system providing qualified guides," reported The Korea Herald. "Ministry officials may again be frustrated by setting an unattainable goal next year, but they need to look ahead and wrack their brains to "sell" the nation's natural beauty along with its strong industrial capabilities, unique social environment, and charming artistic talents."
 

December 29, 2006   Posted in: Korea