Korea to Invest 410 Billion Won in Regional Airport Tourism Hubs

South Korea plans to invest 410 billion won next year to develop tourism hubs around five regional airports, part of a broader effort to draw more overseas visitors beyond the Seoul metropolitan area and strengthen local economies.

The government is targeting a combined 5 million international arrivals by 2029 across regions centered on airports in Busan, Daegu, Cheongju, Yangyang and Muan. The five locations were selected in September as gateways for travel into their surrounding areas.

Finance Minister Lee Hyoung-il presented the plan Wednesday at a government task force meeting on development of the service sector. The initiative will fund 27 projects involving eight ministries, covering links to airports, seaports and cruise terminals as well as improvements to local transport, accommodation and payment services. It will also support tourism programs designed around the distinct attractions of each destination.

The policy seeks to build on a year of strong inbound travel. South Korea received a record 15.05 million international tourists through Aug. 31, according to government figures. Regional airports and seaports accounted for 27.8 percent of arrivals, their highest share on record, indicating that more visitors are already entering the country outside the main capital-area gateways.

Officials also plan to test artificial intelligence services intended to reduce language and transport difficulties for travelers. Another program, scheduled for the first half of next year, will seek to simplify visa screening for medical and wellness tourists.

Payment access is another focus. The government aims to increase the number of stores accepting QR-code payments from foreign visitors to 80,000 next year, double the 40,000 expected this year. Easier transactions could help smaller businesses capture more tourism spending, particularly in destinations where overseas cards or mobile payment systems are less widely supported.

The initiative places tourism alongside semiconductors as a sector the government sees as capable of supporting national growth. Lee said the service industry has substantial potential to create jobs, employ young people and revitalize regional economies.

The regional strategy will ultimately depend on whether improved gateways translate into longer stays and greater spending outside Seoul. Better onward transportation, convenient payments and destination-specific experiences will be central to turning airport arrivals into durable gains for local businesses and communities.