Ahead of National Day, Welcoming Chinese Tourists: Ferry Passengers at Incheon Port Increase by 22%

Joint Welcoming Event by Korea Tourism Organization and Incheon Port Authority

Featuring Samulnori Performances, Shows, and K-Food

Korea-China Ferry Passengers Reach 414,000 in 2025

Maritime Inbound Tourism Shows Signs of Recovery

In anticipation of China's biggest holiday, the National Day holiday, a welcoming event targeting Chinese tourists arriving via Incheon Port is being held. The number of passengers using the Korea-China ferry, which began resuming operations in stages after the COVID-19 pandemic, has also increased by more than 20% so far this year.

On the 29th, a welcoming event was held for Chinese tourists arriving by ferry at the Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal. The Korea Tourism Organization, Incheon Port Authority, and Incheon Tourism Organization are holding samul nori performances and tourist participation events until the 30th ahead of China's National Day holiday. Korea Tourism Organization

On September 29, the Korea Tourism Organization announced that it would host a joint public-private "K-Tourism Value-Up Promotion" at Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal from September 29 to September 30, targeting Chinese tourists entering the country by ferry.

This event was organized around the "Incheon Port Ferry Inbound Value-Up Council," which was launched earlier this month. The Korea Tourism Organization, Incheon Port Authority, Incheon Tourism Organization, and Ottogi are participating to operate a tourist welcoming program under the theme "Take Good Fortune from Korea with You."

Chinese tourists arriving by ferry in the morning are greeted with a samulnori performance. In the afternoon, departing passengers can enjoy a "Kingdom Friends" character-themed lucky message photo zone and participate in a social network service (SNS) certification event organized by the Korea Tourism Organization.

The Incheon Port Authority, together with the Korea Coast Guard Band, will present performances such as a wind ensemble. The Incheon Tourism Organization will jointly provide souvenirs to arriving tourists. On the 30th, a food truck operated in collaboration with Ottogi will promote K-Food.

This event is focused on boosting demand among Chinese tourists who use the ferry during the Chinese National Day holiday. The aim is to expand sea arrivals through Incheon Port in a market previously centered around flights, and to establish the ferry journey itself as part of the travel experience.

The Korea-China ferry passenger routes have been recovering since the resumption of operations in stages beginning in 2023. Last year, the total number of passengers on Korea-China ferries reached 414,000. From January to August this year, the number of ferry passengers increased by 22.46% compared to the same period last year.

Gwak Daeyoung, Head of the Gyeongin Branch at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "Ahead of China's biggest holiday, the National Day holiday, we have joined forces with relevant organizations and the industry to welcome Chinese tourists visiting Korea by ferry. We hope that this will further vitalize inbound maritime tourism through Incheon Port, and that the ferry will come to be seen as not just a mode of transport but as an enjoyable part of the Korean tourism experience itself."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.