A necessary step in the right direction.

VHO - South Korea's decision to reduce the fares of express and intercity buses for foreign tourists may be just a small cost-saving program, but it reflects a major challenge facing the country's tourism industry: how to distribute the flow of tourists more evenly between the capital Seoul and other regions.

Over the years, South Korea has successfully attracted international tourists thanks to the Hallyu wave, K-pop, cinema, cuisine , and cultural products. In 2025, the country welcomed approximately 18.7 million international visitors, the highest number in its history and far exceeding the previous record of 17.5 million before the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, behind those impressive numbers lies the reality that the majority of tourists remain concentrated in Seoul and the metropolitan area. Popular destinations like Myeongdong, Gyeongbokgung, Hongdae, and Gangnam are always packed with visitors, while many other areas with stunning natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and unique tourism products have not benefited proportionally from the influx of international tourists.

Therefore, the program offering a 5,000 won discount to 8,000 foreign tourists using intercity and express buses is not simply a transportation incentive. It's an effort to change travel behavior and encourage tourists to explore destinations outside of Seoul. The collaboration with travel platforms like Klook and Go Hanpass, along with the provision of free eSIMs and discount vouchers, shows that South Korea is approaching the issue from the perspective of enhancing the overall travel experience rather than just reducing travel costs.

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More importantly, redistributing tourist flows will bring direct economic benefits to local areas. As tourists stay longer outside Seoul, revenue from hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourism services will be spread more widely, helping to narrow the development gap between the city center and the suburbs.

Of course, lowering bus fares isn't a magic wand that can instantly transform South Korean tourism. For tourists to truly leave Seoul, local areas need more attractive tourism products, foreigner-friendly services, and effective promotional strategies. However, given the continuously record-breaking number of international visitors, this remains a necessary and positive step.

With global tourism competition intensifying, South Korea's goal is not just to attract more tourists, but also to help them explore more, stay longer, and spend more. To achieve this, taking tourists beyond Seoul to experience a more diverse South Korea is the long-term solution for the sustainable development of the country's tourism industry.

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Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/du-lich/buoc-di-dung-huong-va-can-thiet-237694.html