Busan Eyes 60,000 Malaysian Tourists To Fuel Economic Growth This Year

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Busan, the second largest city in South Korea is set to boost its economy by eyeing 60,000 Malaysian tourists in 2024 to boost its local business and economic activities.

Busan Tourism Organisation (BTO) chief executive officer Lee Jung-Sil said as of May 2024, about 20,000 Malaysian tourists have visited Busan.

BTO will continue to strive for intercity exchange and tourism development cooperation between the two countries.

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“The tourism industry in Busan has contributed around six per cent to seven per cent to South Korea’s gross domestic product (GDP),” he told the media at the Busan Hugs in KL: Healing By The Sea event, recently.

Busan city’s GDP was 104.29 million won in 2022.

Lee said 37,269 Malaysian tourists visited Busan last year; Malaysia ranked third after Taiwan and Thailand for the group tourist market. Overall, 1.82 million tourists visited Busan last year compared to 1.67 million in 2022.

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Therefore, he aims to promote Busan’s diversity and charm to enhance brand awareness.

“Tourist inflow increased significantly when AirAsia opened the Kuala Lumpur-Busan direct route in February 2023 but this is currently suspended.

“Instead, tourists are entering through packages transiting via Seoul, especially group tours,” he said.

He views Malaysia as a balanced market for individual, and group tourists, as well as meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) visitors.

Efforts in promoting Busan

National Geographic Travel has named Busan in the “Top 25 Best Travel Destinations in the World in 2023” for its cultural vibrancy and stunning offerings.

Busan Air Cruise, Haeundae Blueline Park Beach Train, Lotte World Adventure Busan and X The Sky are among its attractions.

BTO launched the Visit Busan Pass in Feb 2023, a day pass with a transportation function to encourage tourists to stay in the city.

Malaysia ranked first in the region to purchase the pass.

“It offers multiple attractions within 24 or 48 hours at a reasonable price. We have sold almost 100,000 passes to tourists since it was launched,” he said.

It aims to sell 200,000 passes this year with 5,000 passes to be sold in Malaysia.

 BTO also provides travel agency incentives for overseas travel partners with some degree of financial support, he said.

“The travel agency has to work with Busan Travel Agency to get the financial support depending on the number of travellers brought into Busan, and whether it is a tour or a corporate meeting,” he said.

Outlook

Moving forward, BTO aims to position it as an International Top 10 Tourism City for its leisure and business with its ocean, mountains and nature.

“We are developing attractions to draw travellers and are improving the infrastructure to make travel more convenient, especially among those using the English Language.

“For Muslims, we provide more comfortable prayer rooms and more halal-friendly restaurants as the food culture here is seafood and vegetarian-based,” he said.

He hopes the new Gadeokdo Airport, set to replace Gimhae International Airport by 2030 and cater to 20 million people annually, will boost the tourism sector and contribute to Busan’s economic growth and global prominence as a top travel destination.

-- BERNAMA