Seoul to Shift Tourist Appeal from Shopping to Scenery

The Seoul Metropolitan Government on Thursday announced details of plans to attract more foreign tourists by focusing less on shopping and more on historic and scenic attractions.

It aims to double the annual number of tourists to 30 million by 2026.

One attraction that will be more aggressively promoted is the atmospheric night tours of Seoul's royal palaces.

The city also plans to set up a nighttime balloon ride and cycling tours which will guide people around major tourist spots including Cheong Wa Dae and Gwanghwamun Plaza.

Group yoga and aquatic fun programs are also on the cards. Drone shows are to light up the night sky along the Han River, and a planned giant ferris wheel modeled after the London Eye or Singapore Flyer will give visitors unparalleled views of the sunset.

Hiking courses will entice tourists up the many scenic mountains that are dotted around the capital.