South Korea and Tourism: When the System Prioritizes Locals Over Visitors
- Minu Chawla
- Aug 21
- 2 min read
On my recent trip to South Korea, I noticed the country does tourism differently. Unlike places focused on attracting visitors, South Korea seems selective about how much it caters to tourists. That’s their prerogative - every country decides how much to open up to foreigners.
𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺’𝘀 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗞𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗮’𝘀 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆
Tourism is about 3.8% of South Korea’s GDP (2023, WTTC), while services lead at 58% and manufacturing at 25%. Tourism matters but isn’t as central as in places like Thailand or Spain (over 10% of GDP). The main focus is on domestic growth and preserving culture. (Maybe this is about creating a distinct identity, especially since North Korea is so wrapped up in its Juche ideology. Food for thought)
𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘃𝘀. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆
Friends on this trip were frustrated by what they saw as rudeness from locals, far from hospitality they’re used to in countries where tourism is a major economic driver. Incidents of being ignored or receiving curt responses left a feeling of being unwelcome. It also seemed South Koreans may have had it with unruly and disrespectful international tourists.
𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀
𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵: Most signage, menus, and instructions are in Korean, making basics like ordering food or getting around more complicated.
𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Google Maps doesn’t work, so you need local apps like Naver - not always easy for non-Korean speakers.
𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: Cards are accepted in most places, but subway tickets require cash or a local method.
𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗹: Public bins are scarce, so you end up carrying your trash until you return to your hotel.
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: What seems like rudeness is usually just a different set of cultural norms, IMO.
𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Booking platforms are geared toward domestic travelers, with limited language options and tricky payment for international cards.
𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗢𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The system feels mainly set up for locals. Outside major cities, attractions and transport can be harder for foreigners to access.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
South Korea’s tourism system is intentionally built for locals (much like India these days). Outside big cities, many services and attractions aren’t very foreigner-friendly, and there’s an unspoken expectation that visitors adapt to local customs. It’s a different approach, but one that reflects the country’s priorities, and I respect that.
On a personal level though, connection didn't come in grand gestures. It was as simple as a Korean lady sharing candy after a warm conversation, a reminder that genuine bonds transcend cultural differences.
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