KUALA LUMPUR - Improving relations and China’s visa-free policy for South Korean travellers have led to a sharp rise in travel demand from South Korea to China, according to Yonhap News Agency.

From January 5 to 21, bookings for trips to China jumped 87.8% year on year, with bookings to Shanghai surging 142.4%, based on data from travel agency Verygoodtour.

Another travel agency, Yellow Balloon, reported that sales of Spring Festival travel packages rose more than 21% year on year, with China tours making up 16.% of total sales.

The tourism boom is not one-sided, as the number of Chinese visitors travelling to South Korea is also increasing.

Media reports said that under South Korea’s temporary visa waiver programme for Chinese tourists, 173 Chinese cruise ship visits are scheduled at the Port of Busan this year.

This marks a 21 fold increase compared with just eight cruise ship visits in 2025, according to South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

The strong two-way tourism growth reflects expanding economic exchanges and closer cooperation between China and South Korea.

Policy incentives are a key driver, with China extending its visa-free policy until the end of 2026 and South Korea introducing a temporary visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists.

Easier travel has boosted mass tourism and made the phrase ‘flying to China right after work on Friday’ a popular trend on South Korean social media.

Young South Koreans are showing growing interest in cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, while Chinese tourists, mainly families and young people, are visiting Seoul and Jeju in large numbers.

The tourism surge highlights strong economic complementarity between the two countries and could support deeper trade and economic ties.

The Bank of Korea estimates that an additional one million Chinese tourists could raise South Korea’s gross domestic product by up to 0.08 percentage points.

A separate study by the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute found that the return of Chinese group tours in 2023 boosted GDP by 0.21 percentage points, according to the Korea Herald.

At the same time, rising numbers of South Korean tourists have increased consumer spending across several sectors in China.

Tourism-driven people to people movement has supported growth in hotels, food services and transport, while also creating new areas for wider industrial cooperation.

Spending by South Korean visitors helps drive local growth and innovation in China, while Chinese tourists contribute significantly to South Korea’s economic recovery.

Tourism exchanges also allow businesses in both countries to better understand consumer preferences and adjust products and strategies accordingly.

Beyond tourism, the potential for China–South Korea cooperation extends to areas such as the digital economy, green energy, biotechnology and high-end manufacturing.

China’s large market and strong industrial base, combined with South Korea’s advanced technologies in areas like semiconductors and materials, offer strong opportunities for joint growth.

Joint projects in third markets, low-carbon supply chains and technological innovation are among areas with high cooperation potential.

As close neighbours, China and South Korea see the tourism boom as a positive signal that could help unlock broader and deeper cooperation in the future.