KUALA LUMPUR - Local governments across South Korea are improving transport services as more foreign tourists travel beyond Seoul to other regions.

The measures are aimed at making travel easier during the spring tourism season and encouraging visitors to stay longer.

The plans include better links between cities and easier access from Incheon International Airport.

In Busan, the city government on April 1 began a pilot programme allowing passengers to bring larger suitcases on city buses.

The trial is being carried out on Route 85, which connects popular tourist areas including Seomyeon, Busan Station and Yeongdo.

Passengers are now allowed to carry suitcases up to 76.2cm in size, compared with the usual limit of 50.8cm.

The city said larger suitcases can be stored in designated spaces such as wheelchair areas.

Busan also plans to introduce overseas card payment options on public transport and expand late-night services by 2030.

The city said many transport systems still require cash or do not accept foreign issued cards.

Busan is also developing a premium bus service with reclining seats between Incheon International Airport and Busan.

The city is also working to improve transport links to coastal areas and temples in nearby Ulsan and South Gyeongsang Province.

“Building on last year’s achievement of attracting more than 3.64 million foreign visitors, we aim to promote qualitative growth in Busan’s tourism sector so that more visitors stay longer, engage more deeply with the city and return,” said Mayor of Busan, Park Heong-joon.

Jeju Island is also preparing to resume direct flights from Incheon in May after a suspension of about 10 years.

The move is expected to make travel easier for international visitors, who previously had to transfer through Gimpo International Airport.

Jeju became the first region in South Korea last year to accept international payment cards on public buses.

The island will also provide free bus services for foreign visitors on April 3.

Smaller rural areas are also introducing tourist taxi programmes to improve access where bus services are limited.

In Uljin, a new tourist taxi programme launched on April 1 offers four-hour tours for 32,000 won.

The local government is covering about 60 per cent of the cost.

A similar programme also began on March 30 in Dangjin, where about half of the fare is subsidised.