South Korea Sees Surge in Chinese Tourists After Beijing Issues Their Travel Advisory Against Japan, But Regional Security Tensions Could Affect the Long-Term Relations

Published on November 29, 2025

Following China’s issuance of a travel advisory against visiting Japan due to escalating tensions over Taiwan, Chinese tourists have quickly turned to South Korea as one of the top alternative destinations. It has been reported that Chinese travelers have flocked to South Korea in response to the advisory issued after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.

Travel sites like Qunar, one of China’s most-popular travel websites, reported a jump in ticket bookings and online searches for South Korea, a sign of the shifting preference of Chinese tourists. Apart from South Korea, other Southeast Asian destinations such as Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam have also seen an increase in interest as Chinese travelers seek new vacation destinations amid the growing diplomatic divide between Beijing and Tokyo.

Boost in Air Traffic and Tourism Infrastructure in South Korea

To capitalize on this unexpected boost, South Korea’s airlines have rapidly increased their flight schedules to China. Flag carriers like Korean Air and Asiana Airlines have been adding more flights to major cities in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, while budget carriers such as Jeju Air and T’way Air are opening new routes to secondary cities like Guilin and Wuhan. These expanded routes are aimed at accommodating the growing number of Chinese tourists, which is expected to further enhance South Korea’s tourism revenue in the short term.

Additionally, cruise operators in China are altering their itineraries, with ships that usually visit Japanese ports now opting to spend more time in South Korea’s Jeju Island. A cruise ship that typically sails from Qingdao to Jeju, with stops in Japanese cities like Fukuoka and Nagasaki, has removed Japanese ports from its schedule, significantly increasing its time docked in Jeju, from nine hours to over 30 hours. This shift in travel habits underscores South Korea’s emerging role as a key regional hub for Chinese tourism amid the deteriorating relationship between Beijing and Tokyo. As South Korea seeks to leverage this influx of travelers, it could see short-term economic benefits in the form of increased tourism spending, particularly in areas such as retail, hospitality, and transportation.

Short-Term Economic Gains, But Long-Term Tourism Impact Remains Unclear

The tourism boom in South Korea, although beneficial in the immediate future, also comes with potential long-term consequences for the region’s tourism landscape. While South Korea stands to gain from this surge, analysts warn that the deterioration of China-Japan relations could ultimately have negative effects on regional cooperation and tourism stability. A prolonged spat between the two largest economies in Northeast Asia could lead to security concerns and an overall decline in trilateral cooperation between South Korea, China, and Japan.

For South Korea’s tourism sector, this could mean a shift in regional tourism dynamics, potentially disrupting the balanced flow of visitors in the long term. While the immediate economic impact of Chinese tourists flocking to South Korea is positive, tourism as a long-term economic driver may be jeopardized by shifting geopolitical tensions. Moreover, if China’s travel advisory becomes a persistent factor, it could limit South Korea’s ability to maintain strong diplomatic ties with Japan—a country that also plays a critical role in the East Asian tourism market.

Diplomatic Strain and Its Impact on Tourism Cooperation

South Korea’s tourism industry relies not only on strong diplomatic relations with China but also on regional cooperation with Japan. The current diplomatic tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan and historical grievances have already impacted trilateral cooperation, which includes cultural exchanges and regional tourism initiatives. The recent cancellation of a trilateral cultural ministers’ meeting and Japan’s failed attempt to convene a summit in 2026 are examples of the political tension that could further destabilize regional tourism efforts.

Increased tourism flows to South Korea from China may have a positive impact on the country’s economy, but the long-term consequences could include strained relations with Japan, which has long been an important tourism partner for South Korea. The fragile trilateral framework for tourism cooperation might begin to fracture, making it harder for South Korea to manage regional challenges, such as those posed by North Korea and other geopolitical issues.

The Strategic Impact on South Korea’s Foreign Policy and Tourism Industry

While South Korea has certainly benefited from the influx of Chinese tourists, analysts warn that prolonged tensions between Beijing and Tokyo could present a strategic dilemma for South Korea. The country’s foreign policy has always had to balance its economic relationship with China and its security and alliance ties with Japan and the United States. This geopolitical tension could complicate South Korea’s tourism strategy, as the country navigates the complex dynamics of regional politics.

Dr. Lee Dong-gyu, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, noted that while South Korea will benefit from the current tourism boom, it must be cautious about the long-term implications for foreign relations. The rise in Chinese tourists could deepen South Korea’s strategic dilemma between aligning with China economically while maintaining strong ties with Japan for regional security.

South Korea’s Tourism Gains and Diplomatic Balancing Act

The rise in Chinese tourism to South Korea is a symptom of the immediate economic benefits derived from the change in regional travel flows due to the tensions between China and Japan. But as it capitalizes on this short-term opportunity, South Korea needs to be aware of the long-term geopolitical implications of the continuing diplomatic standoff between Beijing and Tokyo. For the time being, South Korea’s tourism is thriving, but the sustainability of its development depends on the sensitive balance of regional relations and international diplomacy.

While China’s travel advisory has made South Korea an increasingly attractive alternative for Chinese travelers, the long-term implications for regional tourism cooperation are more ambiguous. For South Korea, careful diplomatic management will be necessary to sustain its position as a key player in Northeast Asia’s tourism sector amid increasing political tensions.