June 3, 2026 | 06:59 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Visits to South Korea by Indonesian tourists are predominantly made by Muslims. The demand for information and Muslim-friendly facilities is increasing. The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is taking several steps to enhance the interest in Muslim-friendly tourism from Indonesia.Based on last year's visitation data, the number of Indonesian tourists visiting Korea reached 365,596. This figure not only places Indonesia as the 9th largest contributor of foreign tourists to Korea worldwide, and the 4th largest in the ASEAN region, but also marks the highest record in the history of tourism relations between the two countries.Seeing the high number of visits, supporting Muslim-friendly tourism has become one of KTO's important missions. Kim Jisun, Director of KTO Jakarta Office, stated that in recent years there has been infrastructure development for Muslim tourists, including an increase in the number of Muslim-friendly restaurants, prayer rooms, and other services. "Currently, Korea is more friendly and accessible," he said in Jakarta on Thursday, May 21, 2026.Meanwhile, to introduce Muslim-friendly tourism to Indonesian tourists, the approach is shifting towards a creative direction by collaborating with the fashion and lifestyle brand, Buttonscarves. For instance, visual storytelling through the production of a travel miniseries in Seoul and its surrounding areas, which will invite viewers to explore the iconic corners of the city, hidden halal culinary recommendations, and comfortable shopping spots for Muslim travelers."Through this collaboration, we aim to introduce Korea not only as a tourist destination, but also as a comfortable, inspiring, and culturally rich country. We hope this initiative can further strengthen the relationship between Indonesia and Korea," said Kim Jisun.CEO of Buttonscarves, Linda Anggrea, admitted to being often inspired by her travel experiences to Korea. One of them was during the cherry blossom season in Seoul, which became the inspiration for the Seoul Series collection launched in 2025. However, in this collaboration, she will explore other cities that showcase another side of Korea. "We want to show and provide broader inspiration to the audience," she said.According to Linda, South Korea is also a destination close to Indonesian women. Not only through inspirational culture and lifestyle, but also through unique fashion developments loved worldwide. "We want to present collections that can accompany women on their every journey, bringing together style, comfort, and diversity in a timeless unity," she added.Imanda Zahwa contributed to the writing of this article.Read: South Korea Grants Temporary Visa-Free Entry for Indonesian TouristsClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
