Group tour organizers that attract students or elderly people to Seoul will receive financial assistance from the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

The city government said Monday that it will provide up to 4 million won ($3,500) per group made up of more than 20 persons and up to 500,000 won ($440) for elderly groups.

The support will be given for events such as welcoming dinners or cultural performances.

“We expect more student or elderly groups to visit Korea. We will develop tour programs customized to the groups and provide financial assistance accordingly,” said Gu Bon-sang, director of the tourism division of the city government.

Started in 2008 to promote marketing for tourism, the support from the municipality has played a role in drawing foreign tourists and offering quality programs throughout their stay, according to officials.

The city government is keen to attract students and senior citizens through group tours due to the regularity of their visits.

An increasing number of student groups are coming to Korea from Japan and China on field trips.

A total of 16,796 students in 135 groups visited Korea last year. Of them, 86 groups were Japanese, who came to the country on school field trips. They accounted for 72.6 percent of student and elderly visitors.

About 2,400 elderly tourists came on group vacations paid for by their children out of respect for their parents.

City officials expect 600 more students to come to Seoul on field trips in April.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)