South Korea's Halal Tourism Policy - The Primacy of Demographic Changes and Regional Diplomacy

Abstract

Halal tourism policies are alternatives in the diversification of the tourism industry. In non-Muslim majority countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea, these policies expand the market segmentation, especially tourists from Muslim majority countries. This paper explains the halal tourism policy in South Korea, which only started in the last 5 years. Specifically, it analyzes various factors supporting halal tourism in South Korea, despite being a non-Muslim majority country. The study uses qualitative data collected through direct observation and interviews. This paper argues that economic and market factors are not the only considerations for the Korean government in supporting this policy. The results indicate that halal tourism emerged due to domestic demographic changes with increasing Islam in South Korea. Moreover, this policy was strengthened by China's economic pressure, which restricted its population from visiting South Korea. The restriction was due to the adoption of the THAAD policy by the Korean government. This study recommends that research on halal tourism should be conducted in other non-Muslim, or compared to Muslim majority countries. Moreover, the research time should be increased to establish result differences. Future studies should also adopt different scientific perspectives apart from international relations.

Received: 18 February 2021 / Accepted: 9 April 2021 / Published: 10 May 2021