Korea
Korean originalTranslated
Government announces plan to raise next year's tourism budget by 19%
The government has drawn up a tourism budget proposal of 1.7562 trillion won for next year, up 19% from this year's 1.4751 trillion won. It is pursuing 23 million foreign visitors this year and plans to prepare for 40 million over the medium to long term.
Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choi Hwi-young held a press briefing at Art Korea Lab in Seoul's Jongno district on the 28th, presenting tourism achievements for 2026 and major policy directions for 2027. The government plans to increase next year's tourism budget by 19% and promote regional tourism centered on regional airports.
Next year's proposed tourism budget totals 1.7562 trillion won, 19% above this year's 1.4751 trillion won. While pursuing its target of 23 million foreign visitors this year, the government plans to prepare for visitor numbers to exceed 30 million and reach 40 million over the medium to long term.
With more than 80% of foreign visitors concentrated in the capital region, Choi identified revitalizing regional tourism as a top priority. The government plans to invest a combined 93.5 billion won in national and local funding in tourism zones centered on five airports—Gimhae, Daegu, Cheongju, Muan and Yangyang—and provide 152.3 billion won in loans for construction of large regional hotels.
The budget proposal also includes regional tourism content projects: 7.2 billion won to promote tourism at traditional markets, 2.5 billion won for K-Food Road projects linking food streets with cultural tourism, and 5.8 billion won to develop tourism content using K-pop performances and drama filming locations.
Choi said he would manage qualitative aspects of tourism alongside foreign visitor numbers so that regional tourism supports local economies. He also outlined a policy of actively addressing concerns about overtourism, or excessive tourist numbers.