The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is organizing a large-scale K-tourism roadshow in key cities such as New York (April 23, 2024), Los Angeles (April 25, 2024), and Chicago (April 29, 2024). We have launched a promotional campaign and are intensifying our activities. Efforts to attract more tourists from the United States.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, in collaboration with KTO, successfully conducted the K-Tourism Roadshow, inviting American tourists to discover Korea, on April 23, 2024, at New York’s prestigious 42 Cipriani Street.
KTO will contribute to creating new demand for visiting Korea through comprehensive marketing activities such as developing themed products related to K culture, attracting student groups, and promoting regional travel products.
Cho Hee-jin, executive director of the International Marketing Department of the Korea Tourism Organization, loves dancing and is a K-POP dancer (Photo: Business Wire)
The number of U.S. visitors to South Korea will increase to 1.08 million in 2023, up from 1.04 million in 2019, before the pandemic. Preliminary data for early 2024 shows a strong upward trend of more than 30% year-on-year. This strategically designed US roadshow aimed to further strengthen this encouraging trend by strengthening relationships with key players in the US travel and tourism sector.
The New York K-Tourism roadshow was attended by more than 300 people, including travel companies and agencies focused on luxury travel, active senior travel, vegan-themed travel, and educational travel. At the center of this effort was Travel Mart, which set up a meeting place for U.S. travel agencies and domestic companies in the region. The Korean tour operator delegation included Alice Tour, Korean Buddhist Cultural Organization, Air Premier, Globelaw Co., Ltd., Busan Tourism Organization, DaOne USA, Premium Pass International Corporation, D&G Tour Co., Ltd., and Light Tour Co., Ltd. , Korean Air, US Travel Korea, Asiana Airlines, Kim’s M&T, Holiday Planners, Dahae DMC Korea, Holiday Link DMC, Hana Tour ITC. Those representing the US include WorldStrides, Student Universe, Kensington Tours, EF Study Abroad, Road Scholar, Conservancy Travel, Majestic Vacations/GTT, Embark Collective, Tailored Travel, Zorkas Travel, Scholartrip, Arrangements Abroad, Remote Lands, and Pacific Holidays. , Vegan Tours New York, Scenset, Sky Vacations.
Notable awards went to Majestic Vacations/GTT and Remote Lands. The Korea Tourism Awards recognized outstanding efforts in attracting tourists from the United States and creating a variety of vacation packages focused on K-culture. He expressed his gratitude to Remote Lands CEO Catherine Heald and Majestic Vacations/GTT Executive Vice President Keng Hseuh, who both noted the increasing demand for Korean travel products due to the popularity of K-culture.
Complementing the event were guitarist Lee Byung-woo, known for his roles in acclaimed films such as Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” and “Mother,” as well as energetic K-pop dancers, Exhibition of Korean traditional music. USTOA President Terry Dale offered his congratulations while recounting his experience in Korea.
Busan Tourism Organization and Gyeongsangbuk-do Culture and Tourism Office, along with other partners, will lead a Korean tourist promotion event in Los Angeles on April 25, 2024. The main focus will be promoting Busan and Gyeongsangbuk (Andong) tourism to travel agencies and MICE agencies from Hawaii and the western United States. Remarkably, former major league player Park Chan-ho will be participating in a chat program aimed at promoting travel to South Korea.
