SOUTH KOREA. The government’s announcement yesterday (6 August) that it will temporarily waive visa requirements for Chinese group tourists from 29 September 2025 to 30 June next year has been warmly welcomed by the travel retail sector.
The policy announcement is particularly timely as it precedes China’s Golden Week, a peak vacation period that traditionally runs from 1 to 7 October but this year will be an eight-day holiday to incorporate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Travel sector stakeholders are hopeful the decision will spur an influx of Chinese group tourists and a related spending boom.
A Lotte Duty Free spokesperson told The Moodie Davitt Report: “With the implementation of the visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, we expect an increase in the number of visitors to Korea.
“In response, we plan to strengthen collaboration with local offices and travel agencies in China to attract group tours, while also enhancing our tailored shopping infrastructure and promotional activities.”
The Shilla Duty Free told us: “Following the government’s announcement yesterday to allow visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists, we expect to see a rise in the number of Chinese visitors to Korea.
“As Chinese group tourists were once our main customer base, we anticipate their return will lead to increased foot traffic at our stores and have a positive impact on our sales.”
Expanding on its plans, Lotte Duty Free said it is working on a wide array of initiatives.
These include partnering with major inbound travel agencies to operate exclusive travel packages that combine shopping and tourism.
These programmes are designed to reflect customer interests and include experiences such as beauty classes and K-content activities, offering visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy both Korean culture and duty-free shopping, the retailer said.
While initially developed for group tourists, these offerings are gradually being expanded to include independent travellers as well.
To further enhance convenience for Chinese customers, Lotte Duty Free said it is continuously improving its payment environment. For example, it is strengthening partnerships with major mobile payment providers such as WeChat Pay and Alipay, while also offering exclusive promotions tailored to Chinese shoppers.
Additionally, since July, the company is offering LINE Pay Taiwan for Taiwanese customers, as part of broader efforts to improve the shopping experience for visitors from Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, and beyond.
Department stores and other retailers in the Myeong-dong area – bustling home to Lotte Duty Free’s flagship store and Shinsegae Duty Free’s downtown business, expect increased foot traffic and sales growth, according to The Korea Post.
“Travel patterns may have changed, but if more tourists come to Myeong-dong, sales will naturally follow,” a store official told the title.
Perhaps. But sales at what level is the big question. The policy change is certainly a positive move for all Korean travel ecosystem stakeholders, particularly the embattled travel retail community which needs all the help it can get. But with subdued consumer sentiment in Mainland China, no-one should be expecting a return to the halcyon days of Chinese group tour shopping. ✈
