South Korean Tourism keeps increasing in Spain

In 2014, a television program, starring four retirees who toured several Spanish cities, achieved audience records in South Korea. Not only that, but the desire of many South Koreans to know our country increased, increasing travel reservations. Well documented, the series The grandparents are better than flowers (Ggot Boda Halbe), was dedicated to travel and kept millions of citizens glued to the TV, while they knew Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Granada, Ronda and Segovia. A few months ago another series filmed in Villafranca del Bierzo was premiered in the Korean hostel in Spain program, which in its first program reached an audience of 7.6% of viewers.

Last year some 500,000 South Koreans travelled to Spain, compared to 90,000 who did so in 2012. 28,000 Spaniards visited that country in 2018. The existence of 12 direct flights has also helped this increase in visitors from the country of Southeast Asia, 8 which link Barcelona and Seoul and another 4 between Madrid and the Asian capital. Like most visitors to that continent, they generally prefer culture and gastronomy than enjoy the sun and the beach. The road to Santiago is one of their favourite routes, they represent the first nationality that makes that route. 

In the economic field, the diplomat recalled that bilateral relations began 70 years ago and that it is the third destination of Spanish exports to Asia. Cultural activity is also important and while in Spain five universities teach Korean, there are 15 universities that program studies in Spanish, a highly valued language in that country. Surely this interest is also enhanced by the South Korean series filmed in different locations of the Iberian Peninsula, as the recent 'Memories of Alhambra’.

We hope this good relationship between countries keep growing and become even stronger with time, so we can both enjoy the culture and people from both places!

Madrid x Korea