Acting President Choi pledges full support to attract foreign tourists

SEOUL, Feb. 21 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Choi Sang-mok said Friday the government will make all-out efforts to attract more foreign tourists to the country by eliminating any inconveniences, emphasizing that their visits could help drive a recovery in domestic demand.

"We will provide full support to expand inbound tourism so that it could inject vitality into the domestic economy and livelihoods," Choi said during his visit to Myeongdong, a major tourist hotspot in central Seoul.

The acting president further emphasized the importance of providing a seamless experience for visitors at every stage of their journey, and directed for the development of tailored tourism programs for foreigners seeking to experience the latest local trends.

Last year, the number of foreign visitors to South Korea rebounded to nearly 93.5 percent of pre-pandemic levels, reaching 16.37 million. Tourism revenue also rose to US$16.5 billion, or 79.3 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

To sustain this momentum, South Korea has launched its annual winter shopping festival, the Korea Grand Sale, a 45-day nationwide event running through Feb. 28. The festival aims to attract foreign tourists and encourage spending during the off-season.

khj@yna.co.kr
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