Posted on: August 4, 2022, 9:47 am.
Last updated on: August 4, 2022, 09:57.
The number of COVID-19 cases in South Korea is on the rise, increasing by 400% in the past month. However, this will not stop the country from accepting travelers from several Asian countries, as it looks to revive its casino industry.
South Korea began lifting its COVID-19 travel restrictions in March, even as variants of the coronavirus still threatened the country. Now, according to local media, it is easing entry visa requirements Yonhap News Agency.
Relaxed protocols apply to individuals holding travel documents from Japan, Taiwan or Macau. For now, these travelers can enter the country without having to apply for a visa before their travels.
More traffic for South Korean casinos
South Korea has 17 casinos, all but one of which are open to foreigners only. As a result, the harder it is for international travelers to arrive, the less activity they see on their gaming floors.
At the moment, travelers from the three countries who want to visit the country will have to apply for a permit to access the internet. They must complete the process using the South Korea Electronic Travel Authorization online portal and must submit their applications at least 72 hours in advance.
For the past two months, the country has allowed tourists, whether traveling individually or in groups, to obtain a short-term travel visa if visiting the mainland. Individuals had to apply for visas in person, while groups could submit their applications electronically. The electronic visa system was halted in April last year in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19.
Data from Johns Hopkins University shows that the coronavirus continues to be a threat in South Korea, just as it is in Macau and other countries. The latest data shows there were 107,849 new cases on August 3.
That’s a significant increase from 18,133 from July 4. The seven-day average rose from just over 10,000 to just over 89,000.
Recent motives for change
The timing of the change is intentional. An upcoming festival could be an opportunity for South Korea to inject more revenue into its economy, and strict travel protocols would have made that more difficult.
From August 10-14, Seoul will host Seoul Festa 2022. It will be the country’s first major festival since the first appearance of COVID-19. The implementation of visa-free travel will hopefully attract a larger crowd.
Seoul’s tourism has declined over the past three years following the outbreak of COVID-19. However, with Seoul Festa 2022, we look forward to kick-starting Korea’s tourism industry and strengthening the city to become one of the top 5 global cities,” said an official of the South Korean Tourism Police Division.
The festival has a packed program of activities during its five days. One of the highlights will be the opening ceremony, which includes performances by more than a dozen K-pop (Korean popular music) groups. The ceremony sold out less than five minutes after tickets went on sale.
Another big attraction is the Hana Bank Seoul E-Prix, an electric car race and part of the Asian Formula E World Championship. The race features teams from around the world, including the USA, France, Germany, Monaco and others, battling for victory over the 1.5 mile course.
Unlike most car races, this one will have a big difference. Racing fans enjoy the sounds of cars as they move at incredible speeds. Since these cars are electric, an eerie silence will accompany the drafts.
