South Korea will begin a test-run of an expanded no-visa entry program for
transit tourists bound for another country starting next week, in an effort to
boost struggling domestic tourism by drawing more foreigners into the country,
the government said Tuesday.
Under the new system, all international
passengers transferring at Incheon International Airport, except for passengers
from 11 countries, will be allowed to enjoy a visa-free transit tour of Seoul
and its vicinity areas within 12 hours of arrival, the culture ministry said in
a statement.
The passengers, in that case, must use certain
state-approved transit tour programs run by domestic tourism agencies, it
said.
The change will also benefit Chinese passengers coming to South
Korea to take domestic flights bound for the southern resort island of
Jeju.
Authorities will consider adopting the system if the three-month
trial period that begins on Oct. 29 goes smoothly, officials said.
The
11 countries include Nigeria, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Cuba, whose
citizens are banned from entering South Korea's Jeju Island without a visa,
according to the culture ministry.
Currently, such a transit tour is
only allowed for tourists with visas to the United States, Japan, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand, as well as Chinese citizens traveling with a visa to
one of 30 European countries.
Officials expect the new program to help
revitalize the domestic tourism industry and enhance the status of Incheon
airport as a transportation hub in Northeast Asia through the growth of transit
passengers.