[Yanolja Research Insights] Vol.12 Online B2B platform for digital transformation of Korean tourism SMEs

Korea’s tourism sector holds immense potential—but many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face significant hurdles in embracing digital transformation. As global travel becomes increasingly tech-driven, empowering local tourism businesses through digital tools is no longer optional—it's essential.

Here’s a quick look at the key insights driving this shift, and how a smarter, more connected tourism ecosystem can fuel sustainable growth.

📉 The Challenge: Tourism SMEs Falling Behind

Despite Korea’s global economic status, its tourism industry lags behind:

GDP Contribution: Only 2.8%, compared to the global average of 10.3%.
Low productivity and digital maturity among SMEs—88% have fewer than 10 employees, and 92% make under 500 million KRW annually.
Limited digital presence: Many SMEs still rely on basic websites, with little integration into online sales, marketing, or reservation systems.

💡 Core Strengths of Local Tourism SMEs

With the right digital support, SMEs can capitalize on what makes them special:

Hyper-Personalization: Tailored services for specific tourist needs.
Local Expertise: Unique experiences based on local culture and products
Local Partnership: Collaboration with local businesses for authentic offerings.
Customer Relationship Management: Building loyalty through direct and personalized communication.
Flexibility & Agility: Quick adaptation to market trends and tourist preferences.

Others: Focus on niche markets, sustainability, and digital engagement.

🌐 Online B2B Platforms: A Game-Changer

A centralized online B2B platform is proposed to:

Connect local businesses for collaborative package creation.
Digitize tourism products with support for images, videos, descriptions, and translations.
Simplify global distribution through platform-integrated registration on OTAs.
Monitor business performance with dashboards and management tools.
Facilitate smart contracts with clear transaction guidelines.

What are some successful cases of using online B2B platforms in tourism? And how can central and local governments play a key role in ensuring these platforms thrive?

Want to learn more?
Visit the official Yanolja Research website for in-depth analysis, case studies, and expert insights.

Yanolja Research Insights Vol.12

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