- Healing Tourism Industry Act takes effect on April 9, 2026, establishing an institutional foundation for promoting the healing tourism industry

- Intensive support for “20 Wellness Tourism Destinations Specialized in Attracting International Visitors” to strengthen the competitiveness of “K-Wellness Tourism”

Following the enforcement of the Act on the Promotion of the Healing Tourism Industry (the “Healing Tourism Industry Act”) on April 9 this year, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST) is accelerating efforts to foster K-Wellness Tourism amid rapidly growing global demand for travel centered on health and healing.

Since 2017, the MCST, together with the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has been selecting and supporting “Excellent Wellness Tourism Destinations”—destinations that offer healing experiences to Korean and international tourists by drawing on a wide range of healing tourism resources, including beauty and spa, wellness stays and retreats, nature therapy, food, traditional Korean medicine, and meditation.

“20 Wellness Tourism Destinations Specialized in Attracting International Visitors” Selected from Among 88 Excellent Wellness Tourism Destinations

In particular, this year, to strengthen the competitiveness of K-Wellness Tourism and promote Korea as a world-class healing tourism destination, the MCST selected the 20 Wellness Tourism Destinations Specialized in Attracting International Visitors from among the existing 88 Excellent Wellness Tourism Destinations, choosing those with outstanding capabilities in attracting foreign tourists and high-quality wellness programs. The 20 selected destinations include Sayuwon in Daegu, recognized at the 2025 Korea Tourism Awards; Awon Museum & Hanok Stay in Wanju, Jeonbuk State, which gained recognition after BTS filmed video and photo shoots there for the “2019 BTS Summer Package in Korea”; and WE Hotel Jeju, operated by the Halla Medical Foundation.

The MCST will provide up to KRW 50 million per site in support aimed at strengthening competitiveness for the 20 selected destinations. To help each destination establish itself as a hub for attracting international visitors, the Ministry will offer tailored support, including overseas promotion using global platforms, the development of digital service environments tailored to international visitors, and the enhancement of tourism products and promotional content.

In addition, to systematically foster the healing tourism industry, the MCST completed the enactment of subordinate regulations under the Healing Tourism Industry Act on April 21, 2026, thereby establishing an institutional foundation for promoting the industry. The MCST plans to swiftly implement, in sequence, the measures stipulated in the Act—including the establishment of a master plan for fostering the healing tourism industry, professional workforce development, the registration of healing tourism businesses, industry surveys, and the designation of healing tourism industry districts—thereby managing the quality of healing tourism services and supporting the creation of regional healing tourism industry ecosystems.