Doojo Kim of the Korea Tourism Organization
The KTO's Soo Park and Yeon Hwa
Doug Vogl with Centricity Reps
When you think of Korea, do you think of kimchi – that spicy fishy stew which is pretty much the national dish?
If you do, you’re not alone: even a group of seasoned Korea experts came up with kimchi when asked to name something typically Korean at a recent event held by the Korea Tourism Organization in Toronto.
But if the KTO has its way, that’s all set to change. We saw a very fun video showcasing the diversity of the destination, from history to nature, to tradition and tech-infused nightlife. Hologram concerts and cosmetic makeover tourism. Giggling visitors were shown sampling raw octopus and having a blast wakeboarding in Seoul. Seriously.
And clearly the Organization is doing something right. Though year end figures aren’t in yet, business from Canada is predicted to be up almost a whopping 10% – and the country hopes to be in an impressive 19th position in overall world rankings for arrivals. (Just 7 years ago they were #35.)
Some top trends include 2 to 4 night stopovers, perfect for a taste of the country and an excellent add-on for Asia clients, according to the KTO. Or for a teasing sample of the country, alert your clients to the free tours for transit visitors. From 1 to 5 hours, the tours include trips into downtown Seoul. Tour organizers will even store luggage and loan winter clothing if need be.
No matter how long or short travellers stay, chances are they’ll be back: Korea enjoys an impressive 40% repeat factor. And with the KTO’s new slogan Imagine Your Korea they’ll come back with memories of much more than just kimchi.
