South Korea introduces a digital-first tourism strategy, combining Wi-Fi 7 infrastructure, visa reforms and regional development to reach 30 million international visitors by 2028.
SEOUL – South Korea is advancing a comprehensive overhaul of its tourism strategy, unveiling between March 27 and 30, 2026 a coordinated plan centred on digital transformation, enhanced visitor experience and regional development.
At the core of the strategy is the “Data-Free Zones” initiative, in which the city of Seoul is deploying Wi-Fi 7 technology across high-traffic areas such as Myeong-dong, Hangang Park, Seongsu-dong, and Insadong. The new infrastructure supports speeds of up to 46 Gbps, enabling seamless use of augmented reality applications and high-definition streaming without the need for local SIM cards or roaming services.
The city already operates more than 35,000 public routers, with the 2026 rollout focusing on uninterrupted connectivity across the full visitor journey, from metro stations to cultural landmarks.
At a national level, the government has set a revised target of 30 million international arrivals by 2028, shifting its focus from volume-driven growth to experience-led tourism. As part of this approach, regional airports including Yangyang and Gimhae are being developed into “Inbound Tourism Hubs”. Measures include fee reductions for airlines launching international routes and the extension of late-night transport services to regions such as Gangwon and Chungcheong.
The strategy also introduces new accommodation concepts, with traditional hanok houses, temples and folk villages being converted into high-end lodging, drawing on comparable heritage hospitality models in international markets.
In parallel, the Ministry of Justice is implementing significant reforms to entry. The new “K-Culture Training Visa” allows international visitors to stay for up to two years to study at K-pop or dance academies. In addition, 10-year multiple-entry visas are being extended to residents of major cities in Southeast Asia and China, while the exemption from K-ETA requirements for 67 countries has been extended until December 2026.
From January 1, 2026, the traditional paper arrival card has been abolished, and all travellers must complete a fully digital e-Arrival Card up to 72 hours prior to arrival.
In a further step towards digital integration, the government has granted conditional approval for the export of high-precision mapping data at a 1:5000 scale. This is expected to enable full functionality of international navigation platforms by late 2026, including detailed walking and driving directions.