The South Korean government has officially launched Korea Welcome Week, a nationwide hospitality initiative running from Thursday through November 9, strategically timed to capitalize on the anticipated influx of international visitors attending the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders Meeting. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the program as part of broader efforts to revitalize the country's inbound tourism sector.

The initiative, jointly organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Korea Committee, aims to provide enhanced support and assistance to overseas tourists visiting the country. Korea Welcome Week features strategically positioned welcome booths at major transportation hubs throughout the nation, including Incheon International Airport, Gyeongju Station, Gimhae International Airport, and Busan Port. These locations will offer various benefits and conveniences related to shopping and transportation services for international visitors.

The timing of Korea Welcome Week has been carefully coordinated to align with the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, scheduled to take place in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on October 31 and November 1. Tourism officials view the high-profile international summit as a crucial opportunity to showcase Korean culture and tourism attractions to a global audience, potentially serving as a catalyst for both qualitative and quantitative growth in the country's tourism industry.

Vice Tourism Minister Kim Dae-hyun emphasized the government's commitment to improving the visitor experience during the event's opening ceremony. "As the inbound tourism market is rapidly revitalizing, we will continue to use the welcome week and similar initiatives to ensure foreign visitors can travel more safely, enjoyably and comfortably," Kim stated. He further highlighted the significance of the APEC meeting, noting that "the 2025 APEC meeting is a valuable opportunity to widely promote the appeal of Korean culture and tourism. We will precisely review the readiness of the host city for foreign visitors and key tourist hubs."

Lee Boo-jin, chairwoman of the Visit Korea Committee, participated in the opening ceremony held at Incheon International Airport on Thursday, underscoring the collaborative nature of the initiative between government agencies and tourism organizations. The ceremony marked the official beginning of the comprehensive welcome program designed to enhance South Korea's reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.

As part of the initiative, the ministry has developed specially designed welcome kits featuring a Welcome Card that serves as an introduction to Korean tourism and culture for overseas visitors. The innovative cards include a QR code that links directly to a comprehensive Korean culture introduction page, offering visitors immediate access to valuable cultural information and travel resources.

The digital platform accessible through the QR code features diverse content designed to educate visitors about Korean heritage and attractions. This includes an overview of Korean art history presented by You Hong-june, director of the National Museum of Korea, as well as information about Hangeul (the Korean alphabet), hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), and must-visit sites in Gyeongju. The comprehensive digital resource aims to enhance visitors' understanding and appreciation of Korean culture during their stay.

Tourism statistics demonstrate the country's recovering appeal to international visitors, with the ministry reporting that foreign tourist arrivals reached 16.37 million last year. This figure represents a significant recovery to 93.5 percent of the pre-pandemic 2019 level, indicating strong momentum in the tourism sector's revival. Officials anticipate further increases in visitor numbers throughout this year, particularly with the added draw of the APEC summit.

To commemorate the APEC event and showcase Korean creativity, the Korea Tourism Organization will operate a special pop-up store at Gyeongju Station from Saturday through November 2. The temporary retail space will highlight winning entries from the Korea Tourism Souvenir Contest, featuring 18 representative souvenirs that reflect various aspects of Korean culture and tradition.

Among the featured items at the pop-up store is the Joseon royal family-themed wine stopper, which earned the prestigious Presidential Award in the souvenir contest. The store will also offer merchandise inspired by the gat, a traditional Korean hat made from horsehair, which has recently gained international attention due to the popularity of the Netflix animated film "K-Pop Demon Hunters." These carefully selected items represent both traditional Korean craftsmanship and contemporary cultural trends, providing visitors with meaningful mementos of their Korean experience.