The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in collaboration with the Busan Tourism Organization, LINE Pay Taiwan, and key tourism businesses in Busan, is significantly enhancing customized services for Taiwanese tourists. The multilateral business agreement, signed on June 19th at the Busan Tourism Enterprise Support Center, is expected to greatly improve convenience for Taiwanese visitors to Busan and serve as an important opportunity to promote Busan's diverse tourism content worldwide. This agreement particularly focuses on the LINE Pay payment system, used by over 80% of the adult population in Taiwan, promising a more convenient and familiar travel environment for Taiwanese tourists.
Taiwanese Tourists Emerge as Key Visitors to Busan
Recent data indicates that Busan has become one of the most beloved Korean cities for Taiwanese tourists. As of 2024, the proportion of Taiwanese tourists using Gimhae International Airport reached 24.6%, ranking first among all foreign tourists, and Taiwanese visitors accounted for an overwhelming share of foreign tourists visiting Busan. These figures demonstrate Busan's appeal as a travel destination for Taiwanese tourists, further highlighting the importance of this agreement. Yoo Jin-ho, Head of the Tourism Content Strategy Division at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "Taiwanese tourists' love for Busan is already proven. By dramatically increasing payment convenience through cooperation with LINE Pay, we will significantly contribute to expanding demand for visits to not just Busan, but all of Korea."
LINE Pay: The New Standard for Busan Tourism
The core of this agreement is undoubtedly the expansion of LINE Pay merchants. In Taiwan, LINE Pay has become an essential everyday app, beyond just a payment method. The availability of familiar LINE Pay payments at major tourist attractions in Busan will allow Taiwanese travelers to enjoy their trip conveniently without language barriers or the inconvenience of currency exchange. The 17 Busan tourism businesses participating in the agreement cover a wide range, from iconic tourist spots like Songdo Marine Cable Car, Club D Oasis, and Skyline Luge Busan, to cultural and art spaces like Arte Museum Busan and P.ARK, and local eateries and cafes such as Taeseongdang and Chilamsagye, as well as marine leisure operators like Yacht Holic and Crazy Surfers.
These businesses will not only introduce LINE Pay payments but also promote various Busan tourism contents and offer special promotions within the LINE Pay platform. For example, discount benefits or point accumulation events exclusively for LINE Pay users are expected to further incentivize spending by Taiwanese tourists. This aligns with the recent trend of individual tourists preferring independent travel and provides an effective opportunity to showcase Busan's diverse charms to the Taiwanese market.
Gimhae Airport: The Starting Point for Busan Travel and a LINE Pay Experience Hub
Participating businesses will hold special welcome events for Taiwanese tourists at Gimhae International Airport for five weeks, starting from June 21st. As Gimhae International Airport is the main gateway for Taiwanese tourists entering Busan, the tourism content exhibition and LINE Pay point event held there will be an excellent opportunity for them to experience Busan's charm and the convenience of LINE Pay immediately upon arrival. The tourism content exhibition will visually introduce Busan's main attractions and activities to heighten Taiwanese tourists' expectations, while the LINE Pay point event is expected to encourage actual payments and provide an enjoyable experience from the very beginning of their trip.
LINE Pay Agreement: Shaping the Future of Busan Tourism
This multilateral agreement among the Korea Tourism Organization, Busan Tourism Organization, LINE Pay Taiwan, and Busan tourism businesses goes beyond mere payment system expansion. It sets a precedent for customized tourism services targeting the Taiwanese market and will serve as a stepping stone for Busan to leap forward as an international tourist city. In particular, marketing and promotion using digital payment platforms are a key trend in the recent tourism industry, and by aligning with these changes, Busan can provide a smarter and more convenient travel experience, thereby strengthening its competitiveness.
Furthermore, this agreement is expected to significantly contribute to revitalizing the Busan local economy. The increased influx of Taiwanese tourists will stimulate consumption in various sectors such as accommodation, food and beverage, and shopping, which in turn will drive local job creation and economic growth. The Korea Tourism Organization plans to actively explore ways to utilize simple payment systems like LINE Pay for attracting tourists from other countries, not just Taiwan, through this agreement. This is expected to accelerate the overall digital transformation of the Korean tourism market and provide more convenient and attractive travel experiences, thereby significantly boosting Korea's tourism competitiveness. Busan, with the slogan "LINE Pay OK," is now ready to offer unforgettable memories to Taiwanese tourists and emerge as a world-class tourist destination beyond Asia.
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