BUSAN, South Korea — Busan’s centuries-old hot-spring tradition is entering a new chapter after the city’s thermal-water attractions received national recognition as part of Korea’s growing wellness-tourism push.
The development highlights a resource that has long been part of Busan’s identity but is now being positioned for a broader role in tourism, wellness and regional economic activity.
From Ancient Springs to a Modern Wellness Destination
Busan’s hot springs have a history stretching back centuries. The Korea Times reported that natural thermal waters beneath the city can reach 70.3 degrees Celsius, with local traditions connecting the springs to the Silla period.
The city’s hot-spring culture is particularly associated with Haeundae and Dongnae, where visitors have long used naturally heated mineral water as part of the local tourism experience.
The latest recognition gives that tradition a new tourism dimension.
Rather than treating hot springs simply as individual attractions, Busan has been developing a broader wellness-tourism framework that combines health-oriented experiences with travel.
Busan Has Already Been Building Its Wellness Brand
The new recognition comes after Busan established policies supporting wellness tourism.
The city adopted an ordinance in 2024 aimed at promoting wellness tourism, including the development of wellness programs, related infrastructure, international cooperation, marketing and specialized personnel.
Busan has also been expanding its network of wellness destinations.
In 2024, ClubD Oasis in Haeundae was selected as a government-designated excellent wellness tourism destination and became Busan’s first nationally designated wellness hot spring.
That earlier designation helped establish a foundation for the city’s broader effort to combine hot springs, relaxation and tourism.
Why the Timing Matters
Busan is experiencing strong growth in international tourism.
The city recorded 2,420,629 foreign visitors during the first half of 2026, a 43.9 percent increase from the same period a year earlier. Foreign credit-card spending reached 591.4 billion won, up 63 percent year over year, according to Busan Metropolitan City.
The figures give the hot-spring sector a potentially larger international audience.
Busan is also pursuing longer-stay tourism. In July, Haeundae was selected as Korea’s first project site under the national Global Tourism Special Zone Development Project, with 6 billion won in planned investment for 2026–2027.
Hot Springs Join Busan’s Bigger Tourism Strategy
The new spa-city recognition therefore arrives as Busan is expanding beyond its traditional image as a destination for beaches, seafood and major cultural events.
The city is increasingly promoting experiences that can encourage visitors to stay longer and explore different parts of Busan.
Hot springs can fit naturally into that strategy, particularly when combined with accommodation, food, cultural attractions and other wellness activities.
Busan’s official Geopark information already highlights the unusual combination of Haeundae Beach and nearby natural hot springs, allowing visitors to experience coastal tourism and thermal waters in the same area.
A New Chapter for Busan’s Hot-Spring Culture
The national recognition does not create Busan’s hot-spring tradition — that history is centuries old.
What it does is place greater attention on the potential of those thermal resources within Korea’s expanding wellness-tourism market.
With international visitor numbers rising and Busan investing in new tourism experiences, the city’s hot springs are being positioned as more than a traditional attraction.
The next question is how far Busan can take that transformation — and whether its ancient thermal waters can become one of the city’s next major draws for global travelers.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
