State-controlled Grand Korea Leisure is expecting to benefit from an anticipated 20 percent increase in visitors to South Korea in 2010. If accurate, that would mean 120 million visitors next year.

According to a Bloomberg report, among the factors feeding into the positive forecast is a potential visa waiver between China and South Korea. Additionally, the increased strength of the Japanese yen in relation to the South Korean won is expected to make the nation attractive to Japanese tourists and businessmen. A third factor cited is medical tourism in South Korea-people visiting the country for the purpose of medical treatment-which is expected to grow by 40 percent next year, to 70,000 visitors.

South Korea has a total of 16 casinos exclusively for foreign players. Only one casino, owned by Kangwon Land, permits locals.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.