S. Korea aims to attract more tourists from Southeast Asia

SEOUL, Dec. 18 (Yonhap) -- The South Korean government said Monday it will focus on attracting more visitors from Southeast Asia as part of its efforts to diversify its tourist portfolio after it suffered a sharp drop in inbound foreigners in the face of a diplomatic row between Seoul and Beijing. The government will concentrate its policy efforts on promoting the country's tourism to people from Indonesia, Vietnam and India, as well as those from Taiwan and Hong Kong, and seek ways to simplify their entry into the country, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said after a pan-government meeting convened by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. South Korea's tourism industry took a hit following China's decision to ban the selling of Korea-bound tourism packages since March in an apparent retaliation against the deployment of a U.S. anti-missile system here. Chinese nationals accounted for nearly half of the 17 million foreigners who visited the country last year. Late last month, Beijing decided to partially lift its prohibition as the two countries moved to repair their bilateral ties, but industry watchers say it will take some time for Chinese tourists to actually return in large numbers. During Monday's meeting, the government also decided to prepare more high-value tour programs for foreign visitors to seek a qualitative growth, according to the culture ministry. Other promotion measures include developing packages in connection with "hallyu," the Korean Wave of popular culture, expanding the area of medical treatment, and increasing facilities for cruise tours, the ministry said. scaaet@yna.co.kr (END)