SEOUL - Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon on Feb 4 again moved to assure foreign tourists that the city remains safe, emphasising the municipality’s commitment to safety and openness amid ongoing political turmoil following last year’s martial law declaration.
“Korean society is a resilient one. Political turmoil is being resolved in an orderly manner, and judicial procedures are being carried out with great discipline.
“As a result, the tourism industry is gaining significant momentum, especially as foreigners recognise the safety of Seoul and have little to worry about when considering visiting Korea,” Mr Oh said during a press conference with foreign media in Seoul on Feb 4.
According to the city government, the number of foreign tourists visiting Seoul has steadily increased since the Covid-19 pandemic.
As at November 2024, 12.12 million foreign visitors had traveled to Seoul, recovering to 95 per cent of the record-high 12.74 million visitors in 2019.
Last week, the world’s largest travel platform Tripadvisor announced Seoul as the best city for solo travellers.
This recognition is based on the annual top 1 per cent of destinations worldwide based on traveler reviews and feedback on the platform. Tripadvisor described Seoul as a city where the past and present blend harmoniously, praising Seoul’s world-class subway system, highlighted its well-organised tourism route maps and efficient transportation operations, which make urban exploration convenient.
Attributing such achievement to the implementation of the city government’s tourism vision announced in 2023, Mr Oh said it would continue to prioritise creating a tourist infrastructure that is convenient and safe for solo travellers, aligning with the latest travel trends.
He added that Seoul’s public safety and security could be rated as “A+ level”.
“Highlighting these aspects naturally resonates with people. These days, exaggerations and lies are difficult to sustain, as individuals have the means to instantly share their judgments and thoughts with the world in real-time. Therefore, even without us establishing a separate promotional plan, (Seoul being safe to travel) will likely be shared and recognized sufficiently,” Mr Oh told reporters.
According to Mr Oh, an increasing number of foreign travellers are enjoying various a...