韩国街头被中国年轻人挤爆

Core Viewpoint - The implementation of a visa-free policy for group tourists from China to South Korea is a significant step in enhancing bilateral tourism and economic ties, leading to a mutual increase in tourist numbers and economic benefits for both countries [1][5][6]. Group 1: Visa-Free Policy Impact - Starting from September 29, South Korea has initiated a trial visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, marking a reciprocal move following China's similar policy for South Korean tourists [1][5]. - The visa-free policy is expected to boost the number of travelers between China and South Korea, with projections estimating 8 to 9 million travelers this year [3][5]. - Data indicates a substantial increase in travel bookings, with Korean tourism products seeing a 53% rise in reservations during the recent holiday period compared to last year [1][3]. Group 2: Tourism Statistics - As of September 11, the number of South Koreans traveling to China has also surged, with a 131% increase in travel orders, including a 90% rise in flight bookings and a 163% increase in hotel reservations [3][5]. - In 2024, it is anticipated that South Korea will receive 1.4759 million foreign tourists, with Chinese visitors making up a significant portion, although still below pre-pandemic levels [5][6]. - The average spending of Chinese tourists in South Korea was reported at $1,689 in 2019, indicating a higher spending capacity compared to tourists from other countries [7]. Group 3: Economic Implications - The South Korean government views the visa-free policy as a means to stimulate the tourism sector and local economies, especially in light of the ongoing recovery from the pandemic [6][7]. - The increase in Chinese tourists is expected to positively impact South Korea's GDP growth, with each additional 100,000 Chinese tourists potentially raising GDP growth by 0.08 percentage points [7]. - The overall recovery of the outbound tourism market in China, with a projected 1.23 billion trips in 2024, provides a favorable environment for the success of the visa-free policy [10]. Group 4: Changing Tourist Preferences - The preferences of Chinese tourists have shifted from traditional group tours to more personalized and in-depth travel experiences, such as medical tourism and cultural exploration [11]. - The current trend shows a growing interest among young travelers in destinations like Seoul and Jeju Island, with a notable increase in demand for unique travel experiences [11]. - The effectiveness of the visa-free policy may depend on the ability of tourism operators to adapt to these changing preferences and offer suitable travel products [11].