In 2022, Japan recorded a historic high of 36.86 million foreign tourists, while Korea had 16.36 million foreign visitors, falling short of the 2019 pre-pandemic numbers. The disparity illustrates Japan's successful strategy in regional tourism development, spreading visitors beyond Tokyo through policies like the Destination Marketing & Management Organization (DMO). In contrast, 80% of visitors to Korea focus on Seoul. Reports suggest enhancing local tourism in Korea can boost the regional economy significantly, as shown by success stories such as Yangyang County, where increased tourism led to substantial economic benefits. The report advocates for local airport development and regional tourism packages to balance tourism across the country, learning from Japan's approach.
