K-Beauty Tourism: The Viral Travel Trend

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K-Beauty tourism refers to trend of travelling to South Korea specifically to undergo cosmetic procedures, skincare treatments, or to experience the country's beauty culture firsthand

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This phenomenon has gained popularity due to South Korea's innovative and affordable beauty solutions, attracting over 100,000 tourists annually

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It's driven by South Korea's global reputation as a leader in aesthetic medicine, innovative skincare products, and beauty trends like "glass skin" and "honey skin"

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Tourists visit for a range of services, from non-invasive treatments like facials, Botox, and laser therapies to more invasive cosmetic surgeries, often at lower costs

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The trend is fuelled by the rising popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, and social media, which showcase South Korea's beauty standards and advanced techniques

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The K-beauty boom started back in the 2010s with the beginning of the Korean wave that has now taken multiple industries by storm

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Over 100,000 foreign tourists visit annually for these services, with the aesthetics sector valued at $2.4 billion in 2024, projected to reach $6.3 billion by 2030

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People from Japan and China make up the largest proportion of all foreign medical tourists, followed by travellers from the US, Thailand, Vietnam, and Mongolia

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Popular destinations are Gangnam district, Myeongdong and Hongdae, known for beauty treatment centres and trendy beauty shops

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