Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Social-Economic Determinants of Chinese Tourist Demand for South Korea

This study, based on panel data from 2009 to 2021, employs a random effects model to analyze the impact of several key economic and social factors on Chinese tourist demand for South Korea. The results reveal that disposable income per capita is significantly negatively correlated with demand for travel to South Korea, indicating that as income increases, tourists tend to opt for higher-end or more distant travel destinations. Additionally, the Baidu Index, geographic distance, and seasonality did not have statistically significant effects on tourism demand, suggesting that these factors do not play a decisive role in the decision-making process of Chinese tourists. The significance of the constant term indicates that, regardless of the changes in other variables, there remains a baseline level of demand for tourism to South Korea. Overall, beyond economic factors, South Korea must focus on enhancing the quality of its tourism products, strengthening cultural appeal, and improving the tourist experience to maintain its attractiveness to Chinese tourists and respond to competitive pressures.