Guangzhou has become a hot spot for South Korean golf tourists, with bookings soaring over 300% last year compared to 2023. This surge is largely thanks to China’s new 30-day visa-free policy for South Koreans and growing safety worries in places like Thailand and Cambodia. Quan, a travel agent of Korean descent working in Guangzhou, said, "Even though Guangzhou is one of China’s three major cities, Korean golfers used to be relatively rare here. But now I’m happily busy every day." Around 90% of golfers in Guangzhou are Chinese, but South Koreans now make up the largest group of foreign players. Most golf travel agencies in the city have staff who speak Korean and focus on this market. Before 2024, Korean golfers preferred Japan, Thailand, or Vietnam. Lee Hee-hyun, CEO of Seoul-based Blooming Golf Tour, said, "Japan remains the top destination, but rising costs and safety issues in Southeast Asia have made China second most popular." At Holiday Islands Golf Club in Guangzhou, Korean visitors shot up 81% last year while Chinese visitors grew only 4.4%. Guangzhou accounts for over 80% of Blooming Golf’s China bookings. Choi Woo-young, an international trader in Guangzhou, noted, "The surge in golf travel from South Korea has even made it hard for locals to get tee-time bookings." Guangzhou’s location adds to its appeal. A direct flight from Incheon takes just 3.5 hours, and golf courses lie within 30 to 40 minutes from the airport. Many Korean golfers start playing right after landing, even for night sessions. Business travel also drives growth. The city’s upscale courses attract South Korean executives amid growing economic ties. Andrew Paik, CEO of Centum Golf, said, "Guangzhou is home to many high-end courses tailored to business owners and executives." Experts expect South Korean visits to Guangzhou to keep rising as China boosts tourism amid domestic demand challenges. Subramania Bhatt, CEO of China Trading Desk, added, "Premium leisure categories like golf benefit disproportionately because they convert high-spend travellers and corporate groups."