Over 2,700 Chinese Cruise Tourists Arrive in Incheon on First Day of Visa-Free Policy

On the first day of South Korea’s visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists, more than 2,700 passengers and crew members from a Chinese cruise liner arrived at Incheon Port.

The 77,000-ton Dream cruise ship, operated by Tianjin Dongfang International Cruise, docked at Incheon Cruise Terminal at 6:30 a.m. on the 29th, carrying 2,189 passengers and 563 crew. Departing from Tianjin on the 27th, the five-day cruise includes a one-day stopover in Incheon before returning. Passengers, filled with excitement for their journey in Korea, waved at the welcoming crowd as they passed through the arrival hall and soon boarded dozens of tour buses under the guidance of their tour leaders.

Zhe Wei (67), who came with seven middle school classmates, said, “The cruise was fully booked thanks to the visa-free policy and the cruise line’s second anniversary. Although I’ve been to Korea five or six times, this is my first time arriving by cruise, and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Xu Dawei (38), who traveled with his wife and young daughter, said, “I decided to join after seeing an advertisement about the visa-free policy. This is my first trip to Korea, and I hope it will be a memorable one.”

Last month, the Korean government announced that Chinese group tourists would be allowed visa-free entry for up to 15 days until June 30 next year. The Dream is the first Chinese-operated cruise to call at Incheon this year. Of the 30 world cruises scheduled to visit Incheon in 2025, only four, including the Dream, originate from Chinese ports.

Immigration authorities granted Dream passengers visa-free entry under the existing cruise landing permit system. A port official explained, “Although the products were designed in line with the new visa-free policy, the short stay of cruise tourists meant it was more practical to apply the existing system for smoother entry procedures.”

To welcome the visitors, the Incheon Port Authority (IPA), in cooperation with Ottogi, operated food trucks at the terminal offering various K-food experiences, while hosting a meeting with Tianjin Dongfang International Cruise Chairman Wang Wenlai and presenting a commemorative plaque. The City of Incheon also organized a special event at 1883 Open Port Square in Jung-gu, featuring food, cultural experiences, and a traditional samulnori performance. After the event, tourists will visit major attractions in Seoul, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, before returning to the terminal.

The shipping and tourism industries expect not only cruise passengers but also increased demand for Korea-China ferry services under the new visa policy, projecting a positive impact on the local economy.

Lee Kyung-kyu, President of IPA, stated, “The arrival of the Dream marks the starting point of revitalizing maritime tourism exchange between Korea and China. We will continue to expand cruise routes connecting Incheon and China to further boost tourism and the regional economy.”