Tag Archives: Korea Tourism Organization

South Korea is gaining popularity among Indian travellers, and this MoU is in the right direction.

KTO signs MoU with IRCTC South Zone to promote cross-culture tourism

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India office has signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) South Zone to promote cross-cultural tourism and strengthen travel ties between India and South Korea.

The MoU was formalised by Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India and SAARC countries, KTO, and P. Rajalingam Basu, IRTS, Group General Manager of IRCTC South Zone on October 10, 2024 in Chennai.

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, said, “This MoU marks a pivotal step in our journey to enhance cross-cultural tourism between South Korea and India. Our partnership with IRCTC, a leader in the Indian tourism sector, is essential for achieving our shared tourism objectives. Together, we will unlock new opportunities for growth, increase awareness of Korea as a must-visit destination, and encourage more Indian travelers to explore the wonders of our country.”

P. Rajalingam Basu, IRTS, Group General Manager, IRCTC/SZ, said, “This new chapter aims to explore the historical connections, encouraging tourists from South India to explore the cultural and natural wonders of Korea and facilitating tourists from Korea to experience incredible India, with a special emphasis on South India, a home for resplendent temples, great history, and vibrant culture.”
This strategic partnership is set to position South Korea as a preferred tourist destination, particularly in the emerging and growing market of South India, with a focus on regions such as Tamil Nadu.

As part of the agreement, IRCTC will launch all-inclusive tour packages to Korea, aimed at South Indian travellers eager to explore Korea’s rich cultural and natural attractions. The partnership will also involve joint participation in tourism and other events, further enhancing Korea’s exposure in new travel markets.

KTO launches ‘Korea Super 30’ packages with educator Anand Kumar

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Anand Kumar, the esteemed educator and founder of the Super 30 program.

Renowned for his commitment to education, KTO’s collaboration with the Padma Shree awardee, introduces the ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages.

Designed to blend cultural exploration with academic enrichment, this initiative offers young learners a transformative experience in South Korea. Kumar has also been named the Honorary Ambassador of Korea Tourism, tasked with promoting South Korea as a premier destination for international travel and education through December 2024.

To mark the inaugural batch and to celebrate this collaboration, KTO is hosting an exciting contest. Three winners will embark on an all-expense-paid edutainment journey to South Korea alongside Kumar himself.
“Through our collaboration with Mr. Anand Kumar and the launch of ‘Korea Super 30’ edutainment travel packages, we are excited to offer young Indian students a unique opportunity to discover Korea’s rich cultural heritage and academic insights. This initiative reflects KTO’s commitment to fostering educational exchange and cultural understanding. We eagerly anticipate the enthusiastic response from participants for this contest as they explore Korea’s vibrant culture, historic landmarks, and delightful cuisine, creating lasting memories,” said Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries, KTO.

Interested parents can nominate their children by visiting the Visit Korea website and filling out the application form. Eligible participants must be Indian nationals residing in India, aged 14-18, and students up to class 12 with a valid passport. The last date to apply is 28th July 2024, 1800 hrs IST. Winners of the contest will be announced on 2nd August 2024. For any questions or further information, interested applicants can email at india@knto.or.kr.

KTO India has partnered with PickYourTrail, a renowned online travel agency, to promote and sell the Korea Super 30 travel packages. The packages, running with fixed departures until December 2024, will accommodate 30 students per batch, ensuring a comprehensive, budget-friendly, and well-organized travel experience.

 

With target of 200,000 arrivals from India, KTO hosts leisure & MICE roadshows in Benglauru & Mumbai

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) concluded a series of roadshows in Bengaluru and Mumbai last week. These events brought together Indian travel professionals with a delegation including the Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) and 10 Korean Destination Management Companies (DMCs).

The evenings boasted a unique flair, featuring CHEF, a dynamic culinary performance team, flown in from Korea. They captivated audiences with a blend of beatboxing, B-boying, and a live cooking battle.

Adding to the events’ prestige, dignitaries from the India Tourism (Ministry of Tourism, Government of India), MTDC, IRCTC senior officers, along with the heads of leading travel associations graced the event. A high-level delegation from the KTO headquarters also actively participated in the roadshows. Their presence demonstrated the organization’s strong commitment to the Indian market.

Leading the KTO HQ delegation, was Chang Wook Jung, Executive Director, MICE, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). “We are thrilled by the enthusiastic response at our recent roadshows in Bengaluru and Mumbai,” he said. “The productive interactions between Indian travel professionals and our Korean delegation were a highlight. This direct engagement strengthens partnerships within the MICE sector and the broader Indian travel industry, laying the groundwork to achieve our ambitious target of attracting 20,000 MICE delegates from India in 2024. The engrossing cultural exchange, including the phenomenal performance by the CHEF team, resonated deeply with the audience. Building on this success, we eagerly anticipate welcoming even more Indian travellers to explore the wonders of Korea.”

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), said, “We are energised by the momentum in India! With a record-breaking target of welcoming 200,000 Indian travellers this year, the recent roadshows were a resounding success. We are confident that by showcasing the diverse experiences Korea offers, from fascinating cultural performances to exciting leisure and MICE opportunities, we can achieve this ambitious goal.”

Korea Tourism Organization unveils K-Incentive Scheme 2.0 for Indian travel trade

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has launched K-incentive Scheme 2.0, an enhanced programme designed to support and reward Indian travel agents who promote travel to South Korea.

Leveraging the inaugural programme’s success from last year, K-incentive Scheme 2.0 was unveiled at an event in New Delhi, in collaboration with Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI).

The benefits include providing travel agents with prizes up to USD 30 per passenger and support for quick, simple, and hassle-free tour visas for visitors to Korea between February and September 2024. The programme encourages Indian travel agents to explore and promote regional destinations like Busan, Gangwon-do, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do.

Speaking about the initiative, Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, KTO, said, “India remains one of our most important source markets. With K-incentive Scheme 2.0, we aim to deepen our collaboration with Indian travel agents and incentivize them to actively create and sell Korea travel packages, ultimately helping us achieve the ambitious goal of welcoming 200,000 travellers from the country this year. Korea’s diverse destinations and its hidden gems offer unique experiences. From Busan’s stunning beaches and bustling markets to Gangwon-do’s serene mountains and Jeollanam-do’s rich history and cultural heritage, there is something for everyone.”

Riaz Munshi, President, OTOAI, said, “Embarking on a visionary voyage, as OTOAI aligns with KTO for the launch event of the K-Incentive Scheme 2.0, the synergy between our organisations creates a compelling force in shaping the future of travel. Korea tourism sector continues to blossom, fuelled by a blend of rich cultural heritage, technological advancements, and captivating attractions. From the iconic skyscrapers of Seoul to the serene landscapes of its countryside, Korea offers diverse experiences for every traveller. This collaboration is a symphony of innovation and excellence, promising a kaleidoscope of travel wonders. Together, we redefine travel standards, uniting expertise for an event that transcends expectations.”

Korea Tourism Organization targets 200,000 Indian travellers in 2024

To boost presence at major trade fairs

Determined to weave a tighter tapestry of B2B partnerships and to keep Korea at the top of Indian travellers’ must-visit lists in 2024, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is marking their presence with a sizeable delegation at the country’s upcoming leading travel trade shows.

KTO is gearing up to participate in Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai from February 8-10, 2024, and the 31st edition of South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), which will be held from February 22-24, 2024 at Greater Noida in the National Capital Region.

“With a record-breaking 20 million foreign visitors on our horizon for 2024, India holds a special place in Korea’s strategic outreach. Building on last year’s incredible success of 120,000 Indian visitors, we are setting an ambitious goal of welcoming 200,000 travellers from the country this year,” said Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO).

“With their boundless enthusiasm and deep appreciation for K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and the Korean culture in general, we recognize the tremendous potential of the Indian travellers. Our strategic 2024 in-market initiatives will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitious targets and to paint a vibrant picture of Korea’s diverse offerings for these discerning tourists. These include joint marketing promotions, FAM trips, digital marketing promotions, multi-city roadshows, and participation in such prominent industry events,” he added.

Attendees at the exhibitions will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings with the attending delegation who will showcase Korea’s abundance of offerings, including luxury, hallyu, culinary, MICE, among others. The delegation will comprise key tourism industry stakeholders representing various entities such as regional tourism organisations, DMCs and airlines.

 

Korea Tourism showcases its MICE opportunities at Mumbai roadshow

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) organised a MICE roadshow in Mumbai, yesterday at Sofitel BKC, showcasing the diverse and dynamic offerings for business events and corporate travel in Korea.

The event brought together key players in the tourism and hospitality industry, featuring participation from 7 Destination Management Companies (DMCs), 2 Airlines, 1 Regional Tourism Organization (RTO), and 1 Shopping representative.

The MICE roadshow served as a platform for fostering strong ties between Korean tourism stakeholders and the vibrant business and tourism community in Mumbai, highlighting the unique opportunities and facilities available for hosting successful MICE events in Korea. Attendees had the chance to engage with representatives from various sectors, gaining insights into the country’s capabilities as a premier MICE destination.

Participating DMCs brought forth their expertise in curating immersive experiences, showcasing the cultural richness, modern infrastructure, and diverse landscapes that Korea has to offer. The 2 Airlines in attendance emphasised the connectivity and convenience of travel to and within Korea, making it an accessible and attractive destination for international events.

Ulsan Culture & Tourism Foundation, the RTO provided valuable information on regional attractions and ollaborative opportunities, encouraging attendees to explore beyond the convention halls. Additionally, Lotte Duty-Free highlighted the country’s unique retail landscape, showcasing a distinctive blend of unparalleled shopping experiences.

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to bring Korea’s MICE offerings to Mumbai. The roadshow allowed us to connect with key stakeholders and demonstrate why Korea is an ideal destination for hosting
memorable and successful business events.”

As the global landscape for MICE tourism evolves, Korea continues to position itself as a leading destination, offering a perfect blend of modern infrastructure, cultural richness, and unique experiences. The Mumbai roadshow marks a significant step forward in promoting Korea as a preferred destination for corporate events and business travel.