More mainland residents are interested in visiting South Korea thanks to a trial visa-free programme for group tourists, and the travel sector in the country is beginning to reap the benefits of the policy, according to industry representatives.

The scheme, which began on September 29 and runs till June next year, allows groups of three or more tourists from the mainland to enter South Korea without a visa for 15 days.

Jeju Island is currently the only place in South Korea that allows visa-free entry for both individual and group visitors from the mainland, and Sam Chan, general manager of BSS Travel in Seoul, said that makes it a hotspot for Chinese tourists.

"Since [Jeju Island] is very popular now, we will arrange tour guides to travel there to lead tour groups there," Chan said.

"But if [the visa-free policy] expands to Seoul, the business for coaches, hotels and tour guides will grow here."

Qiu Kexi, chairman of BCTS Travel Service in Hunan province, expressed hope that the success of the scheme would result in it being extended.

"When we learned about this visa waiver policy, we clearly noticed a surge in customers coming to our travel agency to inquire about itineraries to South Korea... We have also seen an increase in searches for Korean tourist spots on various platforms domestically," Qiu said.

"As long as this visa-free policy for tour groups is successful, it will increase the chances of this measure being extended, while making it possible to expand it to cover individual visits."

The initiative by Seoul followed a move by Beijing last November offering visa exemptions to South Korean nationals for up to 30 days.

China has implemented unilateral visa-free policies for dozens of countries as part of its further opening-up.

"Since China implemented the visa-free policy for South Korean tourists on November 8 last year, there has been a significant rise in South Korean visitor numbers to China. According to the information we have, the number of visitors rose by more than 910,000," Qiu said.

"The policy makes it very appealing for South Korean tourists to travel to China."

Analysts believe boosting tourism and people-to-people exchanges would help cement stronger China-South Korea relations.

President Xi Jinping will this week pay a state visit to South Korea and attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in Gyeongju.

The president will have his first meeting with his South Korean counterpart Lee Jae-myung since Lee took office earlier in the year.

Xi will also deliver a speech at Apec and hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.