TBM Staff - Mumbai Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in order to update its latest MICE destination offerings to the Indian travel trade organised a one day experiential event – “Korea MICE Experience Day 2021” at Pullman Aerocity on 10th December.
The aim of the event was to prepare the travel agents for the re-opening of the destination in the near future. This was the first physical event in hybrid format, which KTO had organised post-Covid-19 pandemic. The event began with the virtual address by Sangho Moon, Director, MICE Marketing Team, KTO followed by opening remarks by Y.G. Choi, Director, KTO New Delhi. The special addresses to the event were given by Chan Kim, General Manager, Korean Air and Guldeep Singh Sahani, former president of OTOAI and supporter of KTO.
South Korea was presented in a new light for MICE travel. The latest support program and unique experiences for MICE events were introduced to the trade partners. The event was organized in association with OTOAI (Outbound Tour Operators of India) for its active members and close travel trade and media partners of KTO.
A live virtual tour of Gyeongbuk Palace (iconic landmark in Seoul, South Korea) was arranged for attendees followed by three exciting engagement activities – Hanbok (Korean traditional dress) wearing experience, Korea MICE (X O) Quiz and Dalgona Cookie Challenge (From the K-Drama fame –The Squid Game).
To make the event meaningful for business purposes, hybrid B2B meetings were set up with 11 Destination management companies. 3 DMCs were present physically, while others connected virtually with the travel agents.KTO is looking forward to sign MOU with companies who confirm their interest in sending MICE groups to South Korea by 2023. These companies will be eligible for exclusive and additional support or incentives by KTO when travel formally resumes. Commenting on the event, Choi said, “Even though the COIVD-19 situation is not fully resolved globally, I am confident that the worst is already over. Our Outbound travel industry will be back on track very soon. We wanted to show a New South Korea to our trade partners especially for MICE groups, so we planned this as our final event of the year for the travel industry, to show how optimistic we are for the coming year”
KTO will be mainly targeting the Luxury travellers, SIT segment and K-pop, K-Drama fans next year. In the current year, KTO has reached PAN India travel trade partners and consumers through a series of online and offline initiatives under the umbrella of the mega event “KXperience”. With this event KTO closed its KXperience series for 2021, where it catered its B2B partners.
