Located at South Korea’s southern tip, Busan is blessed with a sub-tropical climate, which has made the country’s second-largest city a popular year-round destination for millions of local tourists. Apart from its beaches that get packed during the summer, the port city offers other attractions and events, like the Busan International Film Festival, the largest in Asia.
Having attracted 3.2 million international tourists in 2022, according to figures from Visit Korea, Seoul remains the country’s largest tourism revenue generator. While Busan has seen more tourist arrivals, the Busan Tourism Organization has stepped up efforts to promote the city’s hidden gems to the world.
“With the alleviation of coronavirus cases, the number of foreign tourists visiting Busan has increased rapidly. By June 2023, the number went up by nearly 500% compared to the same period last year. It is expected that more than 1.8 million people will visit Busan by the end of this year,” said BTO CEO and President Jung-Sil Lee.
The organization wants to highlight the city’s historical, cultural and natural attractions, like its Buddhist temples, as well as its food markets.
“BTO’s short-term priorities include making Busan a global “work-cation” city and a tourism city that offers tourists a full experience. We are focusing on promoting and developing content such as gastronomic tourism, night tourism, and marine leisure sports by utilizing Busan's beautiful beaches and coasts, historical heritage, delicious food and seafood, cityscapes and night views, and cultural and artistic events. Through these efforts, we are seeking to generate fresh and enriching experiences for visitors,” Lee said.
Busan is no longer a hidden treasure waiting to be discovered. Thanks to the Busan Tourism Organization's dedication and the increasing interest of travelers, this coastal gem has risen to prominence on the global tourism stage.
