South Korea LCCs and deregulation force change as inbound tourism jumps 28% in Apr-2012

South Korea's inbound tourism market is going through the roof as new entrants and deregulation open up skies that have previously been closely held.

The impact on the economy, on the country's international airports and for consumer benefits are proving remarkable, as the Government continues to liberalise access to Korea's international markets.

The North Asian triangle, of South Korea, Japan and China, which had been an LCC-free zone for so long, is starting to crack open, with three new LCCs arriving in Japan alone this year.

The 28% growth in Apr-2012 is no aberration either. Increases have exceeded 20% in four of the past five months.