[Edaily Reporter Kim Una ] Following efforts to revitalize regional airports, increasing local spending and length of stay after arrival have emerged as new challenges. While demand for entry via regional airports has grown due to expanded flights and routes, spending and length of stay—essential for revitalizing local economies—remain insufficient.

On the 27th, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) held the “Current Trends in Korean Tourism Data Seminar” at The Plaza Seoul Hotel in Jung-gu to explore ways to revitalize regional tourism based on data regarding the use of regional airports. According to entry and exit data released by the KTO that day, 1,960,722 international visitors to Korea in the first half of this year entered the country through regional airports such as Cheongju, Daegu, and Gimhae. This is the highest figure on record, representing an increase of over 42% compared to last year. This group accounted for approximately 21% of all international visitors to Korea, meaning that one out of every five international visitors used a regional airport. Among the regional airports, Cheongju Airport saw a more than twofold increase compared to the same period last year.
However, spending by international visitors within the region lagged significantly behind the increase in regional airport usage. The average per-person spending by international visitors arriving at Cheongju Airport in North Chungcheong Province was 60,238 won, which was only 18% of the average daily spending by international tourists of 309,414 won (as of 2025). Their spending was also limited to meals and shopping, typically consisting of just one meal before traveling on to the Seoul metropolitan area. In fact, approximately 3.5 out of every 10 visitors arriving at Cheongju Airport proceeded to the Seoul metropolitan area.

Kang Jae-wan, a senior advisor at the Korea Tourism Organization, explained, “This is due to a lack of specialized content and hubs that encourage high-spending tourism within the region.” He suggested, “To convert the growing demand for entry into longer stays and increased spending, we must expand tourism routes across the wider Chungbuk region and develop more high-value-added ‘killer’ content that integrates food and beverage with shopping.”
During the subsequent panel discussion, industry experts unanimously agreed that tailored strategies are needed, taking into account the distinct conditions and characteristics of each regional airport. They explained that, similar to Matsuyama Airport in Japan, Korean-exclusive limousine services to the city center should be operated, and coupons for tourist facilities such as cable cars should be provided to encourage longer stays.
Lee Sang-hoon, head of the Sejong-Chungbuk Branch of the Korea Airports Corporation, emphasized, “It is true that due to insufficient regional transportation connectivity, traveling within the region is more inconvenient than traveling from Cheongju to the Seoul Metropolitan Area.” He added, “To attract independent travelers to the region and encourage them to stay longer, we must expand the interconnected transportation network and accommodation infrastructure in tandem with efforts to increase demand for regional airports.”