Yanolja Research

Korea’s Tourism Landscape in 2024: Key Highlights 2024 marked a dynamic year for Korea’s tourism industry, with both inbound and outbound travel showing strong signs of recovery. Explore the main trends shaping the sector and discover why now is a pivotal moment for Korea’s travel market. Inbound Tourism: Visitor Numbers Surge, Revenue Lags Visitor Recovery Nears Pre-Pandemic Levels Over 16.3 million foreign tourists visited Korea in 2024, reaching 93.5% of the 2019 record and rising 48.4% from the previous year. Asian travelers made up nearly 79% of all visitors, though full recovery from this region remains just out of reach. Diverse Growth Across Regions Arrivals from the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Oceania exceeded 2019 levels, while the Middle East saw a minor dip. Tourism Revenue Stagnates Despite the influx of visitors, tourism income reached only $16.45 billion-just 80% of the 2019 figure. Visitors are Flooding into Korea—But Where’s the Money? Outbound Travel: Koreans Travel...

Revitalizing Local Economies: The Power of Regional Tourism Regional tourism is emerging as a vital force for economic growth and balanced development across the country. Discover how targeted strategies and innovative policies are transforming local communities and unlocking new opportunities for sustainable prosperity. Why Regional Tourism Matters The tourism sector is a major economic driver, supporting millions of jobs and contributing significantly to national GDP. Countries that invest strategically in tourism see not only increased visitor numbers but also broader economic benefits, including job creation, business growth, and revitalized local economies. Success stories from abroad, such as Southern Europe and Japan, demonstrate how tourism can help regions recover from economic challenges and foster long-term growth. Key Economic Impacts Even a modest increase in tourist numbers can have a measurable impact: A 1% rise in regional tourists leads to a 0.11% boost in local GDP, m...

Key Insights on Seoul vs. Tokyo Accommodation Experiences Discover highlights on how Seoul’s accommodations compare with Tokyo’s, based on real feedback from Chinese travelers. Here are the essential findings that shed light on what guests value most-and where improvements can make a big difference. Overall Guest Satisfaction: Seoul Trails Behind Tokyo Chinese travelers consistently rated accommodations in Seoul lower than those in Tokyo, across all property levels. On a 5-point scale, Seoul’s average rating was 4.31, while Tokyo scored 4.48-a significant gap. Seoul’s properties were often perceived as one level lower in quality compared to their Tokyo counterparts. What Matters Most to Guests Guest feedback focused on five main areas: Hygiene: Cleanliness and sanitation standards Price: Perceived value for money Location: Proximity to attractions and transportation Service: Staff friendliness and communication Facilities: Room amenities and convenience Sentiment Analysis: More Positiv...