TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan has emerged as a crucial tourism market for South Korea, with the Korea Tourism Organization (韓國觀光公社), South Korea's national tourism promotion agency, announcing ambitious growth targets on Thursday (April 10). Officials revealed that Taiwan now represents their third-largest source of international visitors, with projections aiming for 1.6 million Taiwanese arrivals in 2025. The strategic focus comes after impressive 2024 figures showed that more than 1.4 million Taiwanese travelers selected South Korean destinations, reflecting the island's strong affinity for Korean cultural experiences.
The tourism authority convened a high-profile industry gathering in Taipei designed to strengthen business connections between travel operators from both markets. During the event, Liu Chen-hao (劉鎮鎬), who heads the organization's tourism content division, highlighted remarkable early-year growth statistics. Taiwan-to-Korea travel surged 34 percent in the first two months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. Liu observed a significant shift in travel patterns, with Taiwanese visitors increasingly venturing beyond Seoul to discover secondary destinations like coastal Busan and the volcanic island of Jeju.
Korean tourism officials outlined innovative marketing strategies focused on specialized travel segments, particularly highlighting maritime experiences along the peninsula's extensive coastlines and accommodations for travelers with animal companions. Several major Korean carriers — including Jeju Air, T'way Air, Asiana Airlines, and Jin Air — have implemented pet-friendly policies permitting animals in passenger cabins. The tourism body has additionally deployed advanced artificial intelligence technology to create personalized itineraries for visitors, with particular emphasis on high-end luxury experiences and educational tourism opportunities targeting Taiwan's affluent and knowledge-seeking travelers.
The southern Korean province of Gyeongsangnam-do will launch a dedicated promotional campaign this weekend with a Saturday showcase event introducing Taiwanese travel professionals to attractions across ten regional cities, including the historic fortress city of Jinju. This focused regional outreach exemplifies South Korea's comprehensive strategy to deepen tourism connections with Taiwan's market. Industry analysts suggest the intensifying bilateral tourism relationship could transform travel patterns between the two destinations, creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and economic cooperation in the coming years.
