Chinese group tourists in the third quarter will temporarily enjoy visa-free entry to the country. Shown are such travelers on Dec. 27, 2024, after their arrival at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul. (Yonhap News)

By Kim Seon Ah

Visitors from China on group tours arranged by travel agencies will temporarily receive visa-free entry in the third quarter.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on March 20 announced this as part of a global growth strategy for the domestic tourism market at a meeting on reviewing the public economy chaired by Acting President Choi Sang Mok, who is also deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

The plan for the program will be released next month. Implementation will follow in the third quarter after public opinions are reviewed.

The strategy targets solo tourists ages 20-30 in first-tier Chinese cities, or those with a population of over 10 million, such as Beijing and Shanghai. It also eyes development of tourism products under the themes of sports, gastronomy, beauty, religion, and culture and arts in second- (five million to 10 million residents) and third-tier cities (three million to five million) in China.

sofiakim218@korea.kr