TY - JOUR AU - Bajgier-Kowalska, Małgorzata AU - Tracz, Mariola AU - Wałach, Kamila PY - 2017/09/26 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Role of the Hallyu Wave in the Development of Cultural Tourism in South Korea JF - Studies of the Industrial Geography Commission of the Polish Geographical Society JA - Prace KGP PTG VL - 31 IS - 3 SE - Articles DO - 10.24917/20801653.313.2 UR - https://prace-kgp.up.krakow.pl/article/view/20801653.313.2 SP - 17-31 AB - <p>The study is focused on globalisation processes occurring across the world in the area of culture and related tourist services, as well as local efforts to underscore regional cultural values and identity. The paper discusses the state and evolution of cultural tourism associated both directly and indirectly with Korean mass culture, its impact on tourist traffic, and benefits for the Korean economy. The proliferation of Korean culture known as the Hallyu Wave may be considered as a form of cultural diffusion. The three most important elements of Hallyu are Korean pop music known as K-pop, television soap operas known as K-dramas, and Korean feature films. All three are highly successful in Asia and the United States, as well as in Europe. This helps reduce the cultural barrier between South Korea and other countries around the world. In addition, they act as promotional vehicles for South Korea resulting in increased tourist traffic to this Asian nation. The number of tourists visiting South Korea increased more than 14 times in the period 1980-2014. The Hallyu Wave is also helping with the export of various South Korean products. According to data provided by the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency for 2015, profits associated with the export of Korean cultural goods stood at 2.8 billion U.S. dollars. The paper uses data provided online by the Korea Tourism Organization, Korean government agencies, tourist agencies, and Internet sources directly associated with the provision of goods and services connected with the Hallyu Wave. In addition, the paper is based on a review of sources in the foreign research literature. All available sources were used to evaluate the impact of the Hallyu Wave on the growth of selected areas of the South Korean economy.</p> ER -