South Korean department stores, duty-free operators and convenience chains are expanding discounts, payment rewards and tourist services to attract Chinese visitors during China’s National Day holiday from Oct. 1 to 7. Chinese travelers accounted for the largest share of planned overseas trips to Korea, at 20.1%, according to a Dragon Trail International report on 2026 golden week travel. Singapore ranked second at 6.6% and Japan third at 6.0%, while the share of Chinese respondents planning overseas travel rose to 54% from 35% a year earlier. Retailers are preparing for stronger demand after 472,477 Chinese visitors arrived in Korea in October last year, up 20.5% from a year earlier. Promotions include department-store discounts, UnionPay and mobile-payment rewards, duty-free coupons, tax-refund partnerships, Chinese-language product information and increased airport inventories. Chinese tourists accounted for 29.9% of foreign visitors’ total spending in August this year, compared with 12.5% a year earlier, and retailers plan to continue adding Chinese-preferred brands and exclusive products after the holiday.