Journalist

Ki Su-jung
  • Korea Resorts Sell Out for May Holiday as Operators Push On-Site Experiences
    Korea Resorts Sell Out for May Holiday as Operators Push On-Site Experiences As the May holiday stretch began on May 1, South Korea’s resort industry reported a surge in demand, with many properties effectively sold out. With one day of leave on May 4, travelers can take up to five days off, and many family travelers have shifted to domestic trips amid a strong exchange rate and sharply higher airline fuel surcharges. Resort operators said they are focusing on programs that make on-site spending feel worthwhile, moving beyond simple lodging toward “all-inclusive”, stay-focused offerings that position the resort itself as the destination. Daemyung Sono Group’s Sono International said its properties were essentially fully booked for the holiday period running from May 1 to May 5. High1 Resort reported a similar trend, with average room reservations topping 90% during the break; its Grand Hotel was effectively at zero vacancy. To hold guests’ attention, operators are rolling out a slate of “stay-focused experiences” designed to keep visitors on property. Sono International, which operates resorts nationwide, is tailoring events by location to extend guests’ stays. At Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province — a major holiday draw — the resort is holding a “Family Festival” from May 1 to May 4 across its outdoor areas. The program includes live pop-band performances, a pop-up food truck tied to the entertainment show “Black and White Chef,” and a flea market as part of a garden festa. Experience-based offerings such as park golf at the summit of Maebongsan and a magic show are also scheduled. Sol Beach properties around the country are also offering location-themed programs. Sol Beach Yangyang is planning a dinner barbecue and an outdoor flea market; Sol Beach Samcheok is offering children’s tarot experiences and busking at Santorini Plaza; and Sol Beach Namhae is hosting a yuzu-candle one-day class and an ocean-view yoga class. High1 Resort, operated by Kangwon Land, is emphasizing “cross-generational” programming aimed at both parents and children. A featured event is the “Chick Sports Day” on May 2 at Grand Plaza, with outdoor activities such as arrow curling, a family relay and tail-chasing games designed to bring three generations together. From May 3 to May 5, the resort will run “High1 Wonderbus,” turning the property into a festival setting with performances including a kids’ wonderland and a retro-style concert. Each evening, a signature media show is planned at the casino entrance to extend entertainment into nighttime hours. Kumho Resort said it is leaning on leisure infrastructure at each site — including water parks, park golf and yachting — to differentiate its holiday offerings. Kumho Hwasun Spa Resort will hold a children’s swimming competition and a parent-and-child piggyback race, billed as the “Eobuba Water Operation,” on May 9 and 10 at its outdoor pool as part of a mini-Olympics-style program. Jeju Resort is also running “Happy Bubble Day,” filling an outdoor pool with foam. Kumho Seorak Resort is staging the fourth Seorak Park Golf Family Team Championship, with 14 two-person teams competing against a backdrop of Ulsanbawi, offering resort lodging vouchers among the prizes. Kumho Tongyeong Marina Resort will present “Sunset Yacht Romantic Busking” on weekends in May, featuring live performances by local artists on the water at dusk.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 08:12:03
  • California Tourism, Dairy Group Pitch Food-Focused Family Travel to Koreans
    California Tourism, Dairy Group Pitch Food-Focused Family Travel to Koreans "A perfect family trip isn’t completed at a flashy landmark, but at a simple table where you laugh and share a meal together." The California Tourism Board and the California Milk Advisory Board held a joint event April 30 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul to promote California as a family destination. Using the catchphrase “the ultimate playground,” the organizers highlighted travel built around everyday moments and food experiences for both children and adults. ◆ California as “the ultimate playground,” with food at the center In welcoming remarks, Kim Eun-mi, head of the tourism board’s Korea office, said what lingers after a trip is not only famous attractions but small moments such as “a dinner table where the family laughed together” or “new foods discovered while walking in an unfamiliar place.” She said California’s beaches, major cities, cultural diversity and food scene help those moments accumulate naturally, adding that children broaden their horizons while parents get a break from routine in what she called “the ultimate playground.” Jeong Sin-hyeong, vice president of the California Milk Advisory Board, said California’s dairy industry accounts for about 20% of total U.S. milk production and produces high-quality cheese from milk of “happy cows” raised in mild weather with less stress. ◆ Chef Sam Kim’s “soul food”: beef tacos with California cheese Chef Sam Kim drew attention with a cooking demonstration, making beef tacos with Monterey Jack and Colby Jack cheeses and presenting them as an easy dish for families to share. He said tacos were his go-to “soul food” when he worked as a chef in the United States, often buying them from a truck after midnight. He added that he made the tacos for his son before school that morning and “he loved it.” Kim also cited a history of American cheese spreading with the establishment of Spanish monasteries in the 1700s, and said Colby Jack is well-suited for cooking because it is not too salty and has good melt and stretch. ◆ Practical tips for value-focused family travel The tourism board also shared travel tips aimed at families looking to balance cost and satisfaction. It encouraged travelers to make use of free attractions across California, citing Los Angeles’ Griffith Observatory and The Broad, and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge and sea lion viewing, all of which can be enjoyed without admission fees. For theme parks, a major budget item, it advised choosing timing and booking methods carefully. Universal Studios and Disneyland use dynamic pricing, and visiting in the off-season — January to March and September to November before Thanksgiving — can cut ticket prices by as much as $70 even within the same month. Booking online in advance can save an additional $20 to $40 per person, and hotel-and-ticket packages can reduce costs while simplifying travel logistics. It highlighted Pasadena and Greater Palm Springs as notable family destinations. Pasadena, about 14.5 kilometers from downtown Los Angeles, offers education and cultural infrastructure including the Rose Bowl and the California Institute of Technology. Greater Palm Springs, made up of nine resort cities, draws 14.4 million visitors annually and features attractions such as the world’s largest rotating cable car, the Aerial Tramway, and the Living Desert zoo and gardens. ◆ 2026 events and new infrastructure California is also preparing for major events and new development in 2026. Los Angeles and San Francisco are set to host a total of 14 matches as key cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup held across North America. The state also plans events along its roughly 507-kilometer stretch of Route 66, including Santa Monica, as the iconic highway marks its 100th anniversary. Highway 1, previously restricted in parts for geological reasons, has fully reopened, and additional entertainment and lodging projects are planned. In Palm Springs, the DSRT Surf resort — a 6,700-pyeong facility offering artificial waves — is scheduled to open this summer. Disney’s Storyliving project, Cotino, a 1,900-home residential and resort development, will be unveiled in phases. The tourism board also cited a new attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, the opening of Legoland’s Galaxy Coaster, and dozens of new hotel projects nearing completion. The tourism board and the dairy group said they plan to use the event to further promote California travel to Korea’s family market, emphasizing a mix of attractions and food experiences.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-01 06:03:50
  • South Korea Welcomed 4.74 Million Visitors in Q1, Up 123% From 2019; China Led
    South Korea Welcomed 4.74 Million Visitors in Q1, Up 123% From 2019; China Led South Korea drew 4.74 million foreign visitors in the first quarter, surpassing pre-COVID-19 levels, with arrivals surging in March as inbound tourism continued to rebound. ◆ Q1 visitors hit 4.74 million; Chinese tourists lead at 1.42 million According to Korea Tourism Organization statistics, cumulative inbound visitors from January to March totaled 4.74 million, up 22.6% from a year earlier. The figure represents a 123.4% recovery compared with the same period in 2019, exceeding pre-pandemic demand. China ranked first in visitor numbers, with 1.42 million arrivals in the quarter. Japan followed with 940,000, then Taiwan with 540,000, the United States with 310,000 and the Philippines with 150,000. ◆ March alone jumps to 2.05 million; sharp growth in the Americas and Southeast Asia The monthly rise was steeper in March, when arrivals reached 2,045,992, up 26.7% from 1,614,596 a year earlier. That was 133.2% of the March 2019 level. By country in March, China led with 501,000 visitors, followed by Japan with 482,000, Taiwan with 192,000, the United States with 152,000 and Vietnam with 75,000. Compared with March 2019, China and Japan reached 102.8% and 128.4%, respectively. Taiwan (195.0%), the United States (180.9%) and Vietnam (159.3%) were near double their pre-pandemic levels. By region, the Asia-Middle East market recovered to 141.2% of 2019 levels, while Europe and the Americas reached 169.2%, pointing to broad-based growth beyond Asia. ◆ Q1 outbound Koreans total 8.33 million; market recovers to 106% Outbound travel by South Koreans also climbed. From January to March, the number of Korean overseas travelers totaled 8.33 million, or 105.9% of the first quarter of 2019, indicating a full return to pre-pandemic activity. In March alone, outbound travelers totaled 2,293,716, up 4.4% from 2,197,971 a year earlier and recovering to 98.3% of the March 2019 level.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 15:27:17
  • Gwangju to Cover Vacation Fund Share for Small-Firm Workers, a First in South Korea
    Gwangju to Cover Vacation Fund Share for Small-Firm Workers, a First in South Korea Gwangju Metropolitan City will become the first local government in South Korea to use its own budget to directly subsidize vacation funds for workers at small and midsize companies in the city. The Korea Tourism Organization said it signed a business agreement on Wednesday with the Gwangju city government and the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the “Vacation Plus” program for small-company workers in the region. The program will cover 350 manufacturing workers in Gwangju. Under the existing Worker Vacation Support Program, a total of 400,000 won is saved, with workers contributing 200,000 won, their companies 100,000 won and the government 100,000 won. Under the new agreement, Gwangju will pay the full worker share (200,000 won) and half of the company share (50,000 won). As a result, workers can secure 400,000 won in vacation funds with no out-of-pocket spending. Kim Seok, head of the KTO’s National Tourism Office, said the partners plan to expand the cooperation model to other regions in the second half of this year. Jeon Eun-young, a director at the Gwangju Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the effort is the first attempt to strengthen worker welfare through cooperation between a local government and a regional economic group, and is expected to improve the quality of life for manufacturing workers. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 15:20:00
  • South Korea Opens K-Tourism Roadshow in Fukuoka to Target Japan’s Golden Week
    South Korea Opens K-Tourism Roadshow in Fukuoka to Target Japan’s Golden Week South Korea’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry is stepping up efforts to attract Japanese visitors during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period (April 29 to May 6). The ministry said it will hold a “K-tourism roadshow” on Wednesday in Fukuoka to spur local interest in travel to South Korea. It is the third on-site promotion this month, following events in Osaka on April 9 and in Tokyo from April 10 to 12. ◆ “Shall we go today? Korea!” — Hwang Min-hyun to headline The Fukuoka roadshow is aimed at positioning South Korea as a nearby country that is easy to visit. Organizers set the theme as “Shall we go today? Korea!” Singer and actor Hwang Min-hyun, who organizers said has a strong fan base in Japan, is scheduled to appear for a special performance and a “Korea tourism story show.” The ministry said he has 6.75 million Instagram followers. Ahead of the main program, the four-member Busan-based band “Girin” will open the event. Promotional booths will be set up around the venue under the theme of “a preview of a Korea trip in Fukuoka.” Local governments including Busan and Jeju will take part, along with airlines such as Air Busan and Jin Air. Local food and cosmetics companies, including Sato Foods and Tito, will also join to offer Japanese consumers hands-on experiences tied to K-culture. ◆ Vice minister dispatched to deepen ties with travel industry To maximize demand during Golden Week, Kim Daehyeon, second vice minister of culture, sports and tourism, visited the Fukuoka event site. The ministry said Kim will meet with officials from major local travel agencies, including H.I.S., to discuss cooperation on developing tailored travel products. He also plans to outline the government’s K-tourism strategy and efforts to expand arrivals in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun. “Japan is one of the key markets for inbound tourism to Korea,” Kim said. “I hope more Japanese people will visit Korea during this long holiday.” He added that the ministry will prepare thoroughly so both first-time visitors and repeat travelers can experience a wider range of regional tourism products.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-30 08:19:45
  • Korea Tourism Organization Targets Russian, Kazakh Medical Tourists, Expects 5.8 Billion Won in Deals
    Korea Tourism Organization Targets Russian, Kazakh Medical Tourists, Expects 5.8 Billion Won in Deals The Korea Tourism Organization said April 29 that its large-scale local sales push targeting high-spending medical tourists from Russia and Central Asia has concluded, generating 346 contracts and an expected 5.8 billion won in sales. ◆ Central Asia emerges as a key target in Korea’s medical tourism market The number of foreign medical tourists visiting South Korea topped 2 million for the first time last year, reaching 2.01 million. Among them, visitors from Russia and Kazakhstan totaled 35,450, up about 14% from a year earlier. Their average spending per person was about 40% higher than the overall average, making them a high-value market, the organization said. To capture demand, the organization held “2026 Korea Medical Tourism Promotion Briefings” on April 17 and 20 in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Twenty-four South Korean medical institutions and agencies joined the events, which drew about 330 local industry participants for business consultations. Product sales training was also offered to help local partners better understand the offerings. ◆ From trade fair to one-on-one sessions, 346 contracts signed In Almaty, Kazakhstan, the organization took part in the region’s largest tourism fair, the International Tourism Fair (KITF), held April 22-25. With 24 South Korean organizations, it operated a Korea tourism promotion pavilion highlighting medical and wellness travel products. On April 22, it hosted a tourism exchange event with 40 local agencies. On April 25, it staged a consumer-focused promotion at a major shopping mall linking K-beauty and K-food, drawing about 50,000 visitors. That day, it also held tailored one-on-one consultations at the InterContinental hotel with eight South Korean specialist doctors to showcase Korea’s advanced medical services. Across the roadshow, the organization reported 4,397 B2B and B2C consultations and said it expects 346 contracts and about 5.8 billion won in sales. Lee Dong-seok, head of the Korea Tourism Organization’s medical and wellness team, said the group will use the local networks built through the campaign to position South Korea as a tourism destination combining advanced medical technology with K-wellness. The organization said it has pursued a more segmented medical tourism strategy since last year, including building a networking club for affluent Chinese visitors, holding Japan’s first large-scale medical tourism event, and developing a new market in Erdenet, a mining city in Mongolia.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:40:08
  • Elysian Gangchon to Host Forest Bakery Market in Chuncheon on May 24
    Elysian Gangchon to Host Forest Bakery Market in Chuncheon on May 24 Elysian Gangchon in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, will hold its large-scale “Forest Bakery Market” on May 24, bringing together well-known bakeries and dessert brands from across South Korea, the resort said Tuesday. ◆ A picnic-style bakery festival in the woods First introduced in October 2024, the Forest Bakery Market has expanded each year and has drawn strong interest, with more than 20,000 visitors attending a single event. This year’s theme is “The moment forest scents meet the aroma of bread — the most atmospheric day for all five senses.” Visitors can enjoy a lawn picnic and walks away from the city while sampling breads and desserts from around the country. With interest in desserts rising amid the popularity of baking competition shows, organizers expect larger crowds than in previous years. The venue will include photo zones and rest areas aimed at younger visitors and families. Beyond food sales, the event will also feature a handicrafts flea market, live busking performances and simple baking experiences. ◆ Easy access by subway, with a push to support local businesses Organizers have credited the festival’s success to its accessibility as a “bakery trip by subway,” with visitors able to reach the site conveniently from the Seoul metropolitan area via the Gyeongchun Line. The wooded setting is also positioned as a contrast to city-based festivals. Elysian Gangchon said it partnered with the bakery-focused platform “Bbangjisullae” to produce a special “bakery pilgrimage map” for the Chuncheon area, aiming to promote local bakeries and boost dessert tourism. The organizers said the event will help expand sales channels for local merchants and small businesses while giving visitors a chance to discover new local brands. “By combining nature, food and relaxation, we plan to present an upgraded program as a lifestyle-style festival,” an Elysian Gangchon official said. “As it has become a signature spring festival, we hope many people will visit Chuncheon again this year.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:27:00
  • BTS Concerts Spur Surge in Foreign Visitors and Spending Near Venues, Data Show
    BTS Concerts Spur Surge in Foreign Visitors and Spending Near Venues, Data Show K-pop’s reach is extending beyond arenas and into nearby neighborhoods, with government-backed analysis showing sharp increases in foreign visitors and card spending around BTS concert sites. Foreign arrivals near a Goyang venue rose 35-fold and card spending climbed 38-fold, underscoring what officials described as spillover benefits for local businesses. Surveys also found that overseas fans stayed longer and spent more than typical visitors to South Korea, drawing attention to Hallyu-linked tourism as a potential boost to domestic demand. ◆ ‘BTS effect’ hits local streets: about 300 million won spent in three days According to a big-data analysis by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of foreign visitors in Daehwa-dong, an administrative neighborhood in Ilsanseo-gu, during the three days of BTS concerts in Goyang totaled 48,581. That was up 3,377% from 1,397 a year earlier, or about 35 times higher. Spending rose even faster. Foreign card spending in the area jumped 3,699% over the same period, to 337.8 million won from 8.9 million won, adding momentum to small local businesses. ◆ Longer stays, higher spending: survey points to high-value visitors A field survey by the Korea Culture & Tourism Institute found that foreign visitors who came to South Korea to attend the Gwanghwamun performance on March 21 stayed an average of 8.7 days and spent 3.53 million won per person. In the first quarter, average foreign tourists stayed 6.1 days and spent 2.45 million won, making the concertgoers’ figures about 1.4 times higher on both measures. Attendees of the Goyang Sports Complex concerts stayed an average of 7.4 days and spent 2.91 million won, the survey found. The visitors did more than attend concerts, expanding their itineraries to sites tied to the “BTS THE CITY Seoul” program, including Yongsan, Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. ◆ Building K-culture travel routes to expand regional tourism The government said it aims to spread the economic impact of major Hallyu events beyond the Seoul metropolitan area by linking concerts to regional tourism. It plans to run a “welcome week” from June 1 to 15 in connection with BTS concerts in Busan scheduled for June 12-13, seeking to draw foreign tourists to the region. Officials also said they will continue developing signature Hallyu tourism routes that bundle regional K-pop concerts with hands-on exhibitions and drama filming locations. Kang Jeong-won, director-general for tourism policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the key is connecting K-culture with local tourism content so large Hallyu concerts lead to regional visits. He said the ministry will actively support efforts so regional trips by overseas visitors develop into longer, stay-based tourism. 2026-04-29 08:46:43
  • South Korea Seeks Central-Local Partnership to Reach 30 Million Foreign Visitors
    South Korea Seeks Central-Local Partnership to Reach 30 Million Foreign Visitors The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it met with officials from all 17 provinces and major cities to discuss ways to overhaul inbound tourism, a follow-up to the National Tourism Strategy Council’s elevation to a presidential body. The ministry said it plans to strengthen cooperation between central and local governments, saying revitalizing regional tourism is essential to reaching an era of 30 million foreign visitors. The ministry said it held a meeting of tourism bureau directors from the 17 local governments on the 28th at the Government Complex Sejong, chaired by Kang Jeong-won, director general for tourism policy. The meeting was convened to discuss how to carry out the “inbound tourism transformation and regional tourism leap” measures drawn up at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Council meeting in February. The ministry said it was the first session aimed at strengthening a central-local communication channel since the council, the top decision-making body for tourism policy, was upgraded under revisions to the Tourism Promotion Act. ◆Local governments seen as key to targeting 30 million inbound visitors The ministry and local governments agreed that the decisive factor for the inbound tourism overhaul is a leading role by local governments. They said they will work to identify and develop tourism content tailored to each region in line with the government’s push to foster tourism as a national strategic industry. Officials focused on tasks including making regional airports hubs for inbound tourism, strengthening the lodging industry support system, setting directions for region-specific tourism zones, introducing a performance management system for tourism development projects, developing region-by-region tourism content such as identifying notable destinations in South Korea, and improving visitor readiness by stamping out price gouging. ◆Ministry hears local concerns, pledges “noticeable” tourism gains The ministry said it heard practical difficulties and pending issues local governments face in implementing policies, and that the feedback will be reflected in detailed policy steps going forward. Kang said, “The battleground for an era of 30 million inbound visitors is ultimately the regions, and local governments hold the key to success.” He added, “With the National Tourism Strategy Council elevated to a presidential body, the ministry will communicate more closely with local governments to deliver a tourism leap that both the public and foreign visitors can feel.” 2026-04-28 16:48:19
  • South Korea Expects Up to 200,000 Chinese and Japanese Visitors for May Holidays
    South Korea Expects Up to 200,000 Chinese and Japanese Visitors for May Holidays Higher airfares are pushing travelers toward short-haul trips, and South Korea expects a surge of visitors from China and Japan during the Labor Day and Golden Week holiday period. The government says it will deploy targeted marketing to extend the strong momentum seen in the first quarter. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization forecast on the 28th that a combined 180,000 to 200,000 tourists will visit around May 1, including 80,000 to 90,000 from Japan and 100,000 to 110,000 from China. In the first quarter, arrivals from Japan reached 940,000, up 20% from a year earlier, while visitors from China totaled 1.45 million, up 29%, already near record highs. ◆ Japan targets families; Kyushu travelers steered to Busan For Japan’s Golden Week (4. 29~5. 6), the ministry is focusing on families and proximity. Working with Jin Air and Air Busan, it will offer families traveling with children airfare discounts of 1,000 to 2,000 yen and an extra 5 kilograms of checked baggage allowance. It will also provide discount coupons for Shinsegae duty-free shops and department stores and recommend tailored attractions such as Jeju’s Snoopy Garden to encourage spending during visits. For residents of Japan’s nearby Kyushu region, the ministry is launching a “Now is the time for Busan” campaign with special discounts on ferries and flights to Busan. Programs including cruise-ship fireworks will be discounted 40% to 50% to ease perceived costs. A “K-tourism roadshow” in Fukuoka on the 30th will feature Hwang Min-hyun, and a May 1 special broadcast on Japan’s Mainichi Broadcasting System (MBS) is aimed at boosting demand for weekend one-night, two-day trips. Welcome events for charter-flight passengers will also be held May 2 and 3 at Cheongju Airport. ◆ “Shortest-distance appeal stands out” as four China cruises call During China’s Labor Day holiday (5. 1~5), the ministry expects South Korea’s appeal as a nearby destination to be especially strong. Four cruise ships are scheduled to call at South Korean ports during the period. According to travel agencies in Shandong, bookings on the shortest routes between South Korea and China rose to 30% to 60% above last year’s level. To welcome travelers arriving on direct flights from Shanghai to Gimhae, the ministry will set up a reception booth in the Gimhae Airport arrivals hall and promote repeat visits to regional destinations. Through a roulette event, it will offer experience vouchers for a Haeundae “K-beauty all-in-one course” and a Gwangalli “ocean activity course,” along with souvenirs from four southeastern cities — Busan, Ulsan, Pohang and Changwon. In a joint promotion with Hong Kong Express, it will also offer airfare discounts on Hong Kong-to-regional airport routes (Gimhae, Daegu and Jeju), aiming to draw demand from Guangzhou into regional tourism. Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young said the ministry has operated a weekly tourism situation “war room” since February to respond early to changing conditions. “Even amid concerns about a slowdown in international tourism demand, we will make the most of Golden Week and Labor Day to firmly maintain the growth trend in inbound tourism,” he said. 2026-04-28 08:59:02