South Korea Joins Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia And More As It Unveils Ambitious Visa-free Entry For Indonesians, Automates Entry Processes, And Aims For A Record-breaking Thirty Million Inbound Visitors

Published on February 26, 2026

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South Korea joins Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and more as it unveils ambitious tourism reforms to attract a record-breaking thirty million inbound visitors by 2027. The country has introduced visa-free entry for Indonesian tourists, aiming to boost travel from Southeast Asia, a rapidly growing market. Additionally, South Korea is automating its entry processes to enhance efficiency and streamline visitor access, making it easier for international tourists to explore the country. These moves are part of South Korea’s broader strategy to increase accessibility, foster regional travel, and solidify its position as a leading global tourist destination.

South Korea has recently announced a bold set of tourism measures aimed at expanding its international visitor numbers. The government’s vision focuses on attracting thirty million inbound visitors by 2027, a goal driven by more accessible entry processes and a variety of tourism-focused reforms. Among these measures is the introduction of visa-free entry for Indonesian tourists, expanding South Korea’s appeal as a key destination for global travellers.

In a recent development, the government revealed a comprehensive plan designed to ease entry barriers, enhance regional accessibility, and promote sustainable tourism growth across the nation. These initiatives are set against a backdrop of fierce competition, particularly from neighbouring Japan, which has seen significant growth in tourism following a sharp decline in the yen. This article delves into the key components of South Korea’s tourism strategy and its efforts to boost visitor numbers and regional tourism.

Visa-Free Entry for Indonesian Tourists: Expanding Access

One of the most significant announcements is the trial implementation of visa-free entry for Indonesian tourists. This policy will initially apply to group tourists of three or more, allowing them to travel freely into South Korea without the need for a visa. This move is designed to streamline the entry process for Indonesian travellers, who represent an increasingly important demographic for the country’s tourism sector.

The easing of visa restrictions aligns with broader efforts to attract more visitors from Southeast Asia, where demand for travel to South Korea has been steadily rising. As part of the plan, Indonesian citizens who have previously visited South Korea will be eligible for longer-term visas, including five-year multiple-entry options. Residents of major cities in Southeast Asia will also have access to ten-year multiple-entry visas, making travel more convenient for frequent visitors.

Expansion of Automated Immigration Gates: Greater Convenience for European Travellers

To further improve the visitor experience, South Korea plans to expand its automated immigration gates. Currently, these gates are available to travellers from eighteen countries, including Japan, Singapore, and Australia. Under the new proposal, nationals from European Union member states will also be able to access this streamlined entry process. This move is expected to speed up the entry process, allowing tourists from Europe to visit South Korea with minimal delays, enhancing the appeal of the country as a convenient and accessible destination for European travellers.

The introduction of automated entry gates is part of South Korea’s broader strategy to modernize its immigration infrastructure, making it easier and faster for visitors from key international markets to enter the country. This initiative is expected to improve the overall visitor experience, leading to higher satisfaction rates and, ultimately, increased repeat visits.

Regional Travel Focus: Expanding Connectivity Beyond Seoul

South Korea is also placing a significant emphasis on spreading the benefits of tourism beyond its capital city, Seoul. While Seoul remains the primary entry point for international visitors, the government is committed to promoting regional travel by increasing international flight routes to provincial airports. This is a major aspect of the country’s strategy to boost tourism to less-visited areas.

To support this expansion, South Korea will create dedicated air traffic rights for regional hubs, helping to increase the number of direct international flights to cities outside Seoul. Additionally, the government is offering fee reductions to attract new routes to these regional airports, making it more cost-effective for airlines to operate there. These initiatives aim to reduce the congestion in Seoul’s airports and encourage travellers to explore the diverse cultural and natural attractions available across the country.

Increased Domestic Travel Infrastructure: Enhancing Connectivity Within South Korea

In addition to expanding international flight options, South Korea is also focusing on enhancing its domestic travel infrastructure. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has announced plans to increase the availability of connecting flights between Incheon International Airport and regional airports. This will make it easier for visitors to travel between cities without the need for long, time-consuming transfers.

Furthermore, the government is extending late-night bus services, which are currently limited to thirteen routes around Seoul, to other regions such as Chungcheong and Gangwon provinces. This extension will provide more transportation options for tourists, allowing them to travel between destinations with greater flexibility. The government is also working on increasing the advance booking window for KTX high-speed rail tickets, allowing tourists to plan their travel more efficiently.

Addressing Accommodation Shortages: Quality Stays for All

A key challenge for South Korea has been the chronic shortage of quality accommodation options outside Seoul. To address this, the culture ministry will now oversee the lodging industry and has outlined plans to implement an Accommodation Promotion Act. This act will include a quality certification system, ensuring that accommodations meet specific standards of excellence. These measures are intended to increase the availability of high-quality accommodation throughout the country, making it easier for tourists to find suitable places to stay when visiting regional areas.

Additionally, South Korea plans to adopt a model similar to Spain’s “parador” system, converting traditional houses, temples, and folk villages into premium stays. This initiative will offer tourists the chance to experience South Korea’s rich cultural heritage while staying in unique, historical properties. By converting these buildings into high-end accommodations, South Korea will be able to cater to the growing demand for culturally immersive and authentic travel experiences.

Fighting Price Gouging: Protecting Tourists and Building Trust

To further enhance the visitor experience, the South Korean government has introduced a zero-tolerance policy for price gouging in the tourism sector. Under this policy, businesses that fail to display or honour listed prices will face immediate suspension. This measure is part of a broader effort to ensure that tourists are not exploited by unscrupulous businesses looking to take advantage of their foreign status.

As part of this initiative, South Korea is implementing a new self-reporting pricing system for accommodation providers. Hotels and other establishments will be required to preregister their seasonal rates, allowing visitors to know exactly what to expect when booking. Additionally, rental car companies on Jeju Island will face price caps during peak seasons, helping to prevent overcharging during high-demand periods. These measures are designed to make South Korea a more transparent and trustworthy destination for international tourists.

Visit Korea Year Campaign: Attracting Thirty Million Visitors by 2029

To tie together all of these efforts, South Korea has launched the Visit Korea Year campaign, which will run from 2027 to 2029. This campaign will promote lifestyle-based tourism products that reflect a broader shift in travel preferences. Instead of simply visiting landmarks, tourists are increasingly seeking to experience local culture and live like locals. As such, South Korea’s new tourism offerings will focus on activities such as beauty and food trails, hiking experiences, and other culturally immersive activities that appeal to this evolving trend.

By offering a wide range of tourism experiences, from traditional cultural heritage tours to contemporary lifestyle experiences, South Korea aims to broaden its appeal and encourage tourists to stay longer and explore more of the country. The government’s target is to welcome thirty million international visitors by 2029, a goal that is ambitious yet achievable with the implementation of these sweeping reforms.

South Korea joins Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, the Philippines, Malaysia, and more as it unveils visa-free entry for Indonesians and automates entry processes, aiming to attract thirty million inbound visitors by 2027. This strategy enhances accessibility and positions South Korea as a competitive global tourism destination.

South Korea’s newly unveiled tourism measures are designed to position the country as a global leader in tourism. With visa-free entry for Indonesians, expanded entry processing systems, and a focus on regional travel and cultural experiences, the government is working hard to ensure that the country remains an attractive and accessible destination for international tourists. By addressing key issues such as accommodation shortages, transportation infrastructure, and price transparency, South Korea is building a solid foundation for sustainable tourism growth in the years to come. The goal of attracting thirty million visitors by 2027 is within reach, and the strategies put in place will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in the country’s tourism recovery and future success.