South Korea aims to attract more than 20 million foreign tourists in 2024 and will therefore relax its visa policies.
The South Korean government also sets a record tourism revenue target of 24.5 billion USD for next year. To achieve this goal, South Korea will offer free electronic visas for group visitors and increase the direct tax refund limit at shopping points for tourists, starting from January 1, 2024.
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South Korea is seeking to attract international tourists - NG
Specifically, South Korea will expand the list of countries eligible for free electronic visas for groups to include Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Previously, only Chinese tourists benefited from this policy. The visa application fee for Vietnamese tourists in South Korea currently stands at 30 USD per person.
Notably, South Korea's new policy will double the maximum tax refund amount for each foreign tourist to 5 million won (equivalent to 3,831 USD) starting in 2024.
Each individual can receive a maximum tax refund of 500,000 won per transaction, with the total refund limited to 2.5 million won.
According to data from BC Card, the credit card company, the volume of card transactions made by Vietnamese tourists in the early months of 2023 increased dramatically by 468% compared to the previous year in South Korea. Meanwhile, the annual increase is 358% for foreign tourists excluding Vietnamese travelers, according to Korea Times.
Cities and urban areas where spending by Vietnamese tourists tripled include Seoul, Jeju Island, Gyeonggi Province, Busan, and South Jeolla Province.
In Seoul, Vietnamese tourists have visited major shopping centers in Myeong-dong, the capital's city center, followed by Gangnam district in Seoul, and Yongdam 2-dong on Jeju Island, which features the airport's duty-free shopping area.
Currently, Vietnamese visitors traveling in groups to Jeju Island and South Jeolla Province do not need a visa for 15 days.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/han-quoc-mien-phi-thi-thuc-cho-khach-viet-nam-18523121008271041.htm
The South Korean government also sets a record tourism revenue target of 24.5 billion USD for next year. To achieve this goal, South Korea will offer free electronic visas for group visitors and increase the direct tax refund limit at shopping points for tourists, starting from January 1, 2024.
View attachment 1200
South Korea is seeking to attract international tourists - NG
Specifically, South Korea will expand the list of countries eligible for free electronic visas for groups to include Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Previously, only Chinese tourists benefited from this policy. The visa application fee for Vietnamese tourists in South Korea currently stands at 30 USD per person.
Notably, South Korea's new policy will double the maximum tax refund amount for each foreign tourist to 5 million won (equivalent to 3,831 USD) starting in 2024.
Each individual can receive a maximum tax refund of 500,000 won per transaction, with the total refund limited to 2.5 million won.
According to data from BC Card, the credit card company, the volume of card transactions made by Vietnamese tourists in the early months of 2023 increased dramatically by 468% compared to the previous year in South Korea. Meanwhile, the annual increase is 358% for foreign tourists excluding Vietnamese travelers, according to Korea Times.
Cities and urban areas where spending by Vietnamese tourists tripled include Seoul, Jeju Island, Gyeonggi Province, Busan, and South Jeolla Province.
In Seoul, Vietnamese tourists have visited major shopping centers in Myeong-dong, the capital's city center, followed by Gangnam district in Seoul, and Yongdam 2-dong on Jeju Island, which features the airport's duty-free shopping area.
Currently, Vietnamese visitors traveling in groups to Jeju Island and South Jeolla Province do not need a visa for 15 days.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/han-quoc-mien-phi-thi-thuc-cho-khach-viet-nam-18523121008271041.htm
