South Korea is turning up the charm this spring with the launch of Korea Welcome Week 2025, a vibrant celebration of hospitality, culture, and connection. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with the Visit Korea Committee, the initiative will run from April 25 to May 16. This nationwide initiative is designed to enhance the travel experience for international tourists visiting South Korea during key holiday periods such as Japan’s Golden Week, China’s Labour Day, and the second senior officials’ meeting of the APEC Summit on Jeju Island.
To ensure a warm reception and seamless travel, welcome booths will be established in stages at major entry points, including Incheon, Gimpo, and Jeju international airports, as well as the Busan Port International Passenger Terminal. These booths will showcase traditional Korean crafts like Hanji (Korean traditional paper), household handicrafts, and nacre art, while multilingual guides fluent in English, Japanese, and Chinese will provide visitors with travel assistance and practical information on transportation, communication, and attractions.
In addition to travel guidance, visitors will benefit from exclusive discounts, vouchers, and souvenirs through partnerships with 26 companies under the K-Tourism program. A digital tourism guide, developed in partnership with Naver’s multilingual map platform, will also be made available at the booths and online, offering details on regional attractions, shopping centers, cultural experiences, and currency exchange offices.
Building on the success of similar initiatives since 2023, a second phase of welcoming activities is also planned for the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, scheduled for October to November 2025. More information is available at the official website: www.koreawelcomeweek.com.
