Tag Archives: SAARC

Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 gains overwhelming response

 

The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024, organised by the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) India, successfully concluded its two-day extravaganza at DLF Avenue Saket from October 19 to 20. The event attracted thousands of visitors, offering an immersive experience of Korean culture through captivating performances, K-beauty sessions, and culinary delights. Actor Anushka Sen, Korea Tourism’s brand ambassador, added her star appeal to the festivities, further engaging audiences.

The Korea Tourism Roadshow, held a day earlier on October 18 at Yashobhoomi Convention Centre, facilitated over 1,000 B2B meetings between 17 exhibitors, including leading attractions, airlines, and destination management companies. The roadshow, aimed at fostering long-term business partnerships, concluded with a Gala Night featuring special guests like Super 30 Founder Anand Kumar and Anushka Sen. Awards were presented to travel agencies and partners for their role in promoting tourism to Korea.

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director (India & SAARC Countries) for KTO, hailed the events as a great success, noting the overwhelming response with approximately 800 visitors at the roadshow and more than 70,000 at the fiesta. He emphasised that the growing bond between India and Korea continues to strengthen, paving the way for more collaborative opportunities in tourism and cultural exchanges.

The Korea Travel Fiesta 2024 was a sensory journey into Korean culture, with performances by K-Pop dance crew One Way Crew, a Comic Martial Arts show by JUMP, and interactive zones featuring K-Beauty, K-Food, and K-Lucky Draws. The event fostered excitement for Korean experiences and highlighted South Korea as a top destination for Indian travellers, with a growing number of visitors drawn to the country’s vibrant entertainment, beauty, and food offerings.

First ever India-Korea friendship night organised in Chennai

 

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in partnership with the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, hosted the first-ever India-Korea Friendship Night on August 28, 2024, in Chennai. This event celebrated the Independence Days of both nations and marked an important milestone in the growing cultural and diplomatic ties between India and Korea.

The evening began with an inaugural address by Tamil Nadu’s IT Minister, Dr. Palanivel Thiagarajan, followed by welcome speeches from Chang Nyun-KIM, Consul General of Korea in Chennai, and Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries at KTO. Esteemed guests included officials from India’s Ministry of Tourism, senior IRCTC officers, and heads of leading travel associations.

Myong Kil Yun expressed his excitement about the event, calling it a “resounding success” and a reflection of the deepening bond between India and Korea. He praised the collaboration with the Consulate and the cultural performances and culinary experiences that made the evening memorable. He also emphasised that this event set a strong foundation for future partnerships between the two countries.

The program featured a musical performance celebrating friendship in both Korean and Tamil, followed by an Indo-Korean fashion show choreographed by Sejong Culture Academy from Korea and InKo Centre Chennai. KTO also presented a captivating showcase of Korea’s vibrant culture, and a lucky draw added to the excitement, awarding special prizes to attendees. The night was capped off with a delicious spread of traditional Korean dishes, including Gimbap, a favorite from K-dramas.

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.

 

Drukair, Bhutan Airlines reduce airfare for SAARC nationals visiting Bhutan

The Department of Tourism of Bhutan has announced that Bhutan’s two airlines, Drukair and Bhutan Airlines, have officially confirmed a decrease in flight prices for citizens of SAARC member nations intending to visit Bhutan.

This promotion is to strengthen ties with neighbouring SAARC nations, and boost tourism and overall economic growth within Bhutan.

The introduction of the SAARC fares came into effect on November 20, 2023, and the reduced fare is, on average, approximately 43 percent cheaper than other fares.

The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established in 1985, and comprises eight Member States: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Druk Air and Bhutan Airlines both currently fly to Bhutan from Singapore, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Nepal. From January 2024, Bhutan Airlines will also operate a flight from Sharjah, UAE.

Guests who wish to take advantage of the reduced airline prices will need to have a valid passport from one of the SAARC member countries. Applicable Sustainable Development Fees (SDF) will also apply, which are USD 100 per night for all guests, and Rs 1,200 per night for Indian nationals. (IANS)

 

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.