South Korea and China tourism industries partner to promote regional travel

South Korean and Chinese travel industry representatives gathered for the first KATA-CATS Korea-China Travel Industry Exchange to promote regional tourism. Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event aimed to expand Chinese tourist stays beyond Seoul by developing specialized regional travel products.

Approximately 200 industry professionals attended the initial meeting in Incheon, which included the introduction of 68 high-quality travel products covering themes such as K-beauty, wellness, and leisure. Following the Incheon session, the event moved to Andong, where seven provincial governments—including Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Chungnam—presented tourism content utilizing regional international airports.

Regional organizations, such as the Chungbuk Cultural Foundation, participated in B2B travel marts to pitch local attractions like Cheongnamdae and various UNESCO World Heritage sites. These efforts focus on leveraging direct flight routes to regional airports, such as Cheongju International Airport, to encourage tourists to visit provincial areas immediately upon arrival.