SEOUL — In an aggressive push to revitalize maritime inbound tourism from China, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has officially launched a collaborative public-private network targeting Incheon Port, a primary gateway for regular South Korea-China maritime routes.

The Gyeongin Branch of the KTO hosted the inaugural meeting of the "Incheon Port Ferry Inbound Value-Up Consultative Body" at the conference room of the Incheon Port International Passenger Terminal. This strategic initiative was formed to reignite the South Korea-China ferry passenger market and breathe new vitality into local tourism ecosystems. The launch gathered significant momentum, bringing together a total of ten relevant organizations, including the KTO, the Incheon Metropolitan Government, the Incheon Port Authority, the Incheon Tourism Organization, and six major shipping companies operating regular routes between South Korea and China. 

Maritime passenger traffic on South Korea-China ferry routes, which faced severe disruptions following the global pandemic, has been progressively resuming since 2023, recovering to approximately 414,000 passengers by 2025. Through the newly established consultative body, the KTO aims to fortify cooperation among related entities to elevate maritime tourism demand back to pre-pandemic heights, mirroring the robust 1.03 million visitors recorded in 2019. 

During the launch meeting, participating organizations engaged in intensive discussions regarding key agendas designed to attract both group and individual travelers. Primary focus areas included expanding regional tourism contents, developing customized tourism products, upgrading local travel infrastructure, and enhancing public perceptions and awareness of car ferry travel. 

Kwak Dae-young, head of the KTO Gyeongin Branch, emphasized the broader regional implications of the initiative. "Following the launch of the 'Gunsan Port Ferry Revitalization Consultative Body' spearheaded by our Jeonbuk Branch on August 26, we are scheduled to successively launch the 'Pyeongtaek Port Ferry Revitalization Consultative Body' on September 10," Kwak stated. "Through these continuous milestones, we plan to finalize a comprehensive West Coast maritime inbound revitalization governance linking Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Gunsan, injecting vibrant new energy into the regional tourism ecosystem."

Industry analysts point out that car ferry tourism offers distinct advantages over air travel, particularly for budget-conscious group tours, package travelers carrying luggage, and special-interest travelers such as motorists and shopping tourists. Because car ferries allow passengers to travel with larger cargo capacities and provide a leisurely cruising experience across the Yellow Sea, the recovery of this sector holds profound economic implications for regional ports and adjacent commercial districts. 

Experts note that the synchronized governance model connecting Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Gunsan will likely serve as a blueprint for localized port tourism revitalization. By streamlining immigration processes, developing multi-destination shore excursions that link coastal cities with Seoul and neighboring provinces, and leveraging digital marketing campaigns tailored to modern Chinese independent travelers, the public-private alliance is well-positioned to meet its ambitious recovery milestones. As the sequential launch of consultative bodies across the western coastline wraps up this week, attention shifts toward how these framework strategies will translate into tangible inbound promotional campaigns and increased passenger volume in the latter half of the year.

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