This year's Korea Travel Fair is held on Oct. 11 at the hotel Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Seoul's Gwangjin-gu District, with domestic and foreign representatives in tourism holding consultations. (Yonhap News)

By Israa Mohamed

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization on Oct. 11 jointly held the annual Korea Travel Fair at the hotel Grand Walkerhill Seoul in the city's Gwangjin-gu District.

Launched last year, the fair seeks to create added value in domestic tourism by offering opportunities to industries both from home and abroad to hold business consultations and experience tourism activities in each sector.

This year's event added a cruise to the three tourism themes of luxury, medical and wellness, or tourism for improving health and quality of life, and Hallyu and performances. Business-to-business consultations and briefings by theme were also held for approximately 110 foreign buyers from 24 countries and 400 participants from domestic and foreign tourism sectors.

 
Visiting foreign buyers can try Korean tourism content such as calligraphy, a workshop on making Hangeul stamps, traditional tea demonstration and tasting, and Oriental medicine. Information will also be provided on 64 recommended tourist sites for wellness, including nine newly designated this year.

Other highlights include a space where visitors can experience K-dramas through virtual reality and an exhibition related to "Welcome Daehangno," a festival to run from Oct. 14-28 at the nation's theater district of Daehangno (also spelled Daehakro) in Seoul's Jongno-gu District.

The event also had a promotional center for Visit Korea Year 2023-24 and a space highlighting tourism cities selected in 2020 like Busan; Gangneung, Gangwon-do Province; Mokpo, Jeollanam-do Province; Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; and Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province.

"This expo is a platform that introduces various content in Korean tourism in a three-dimensional and realistic manner," Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran said. "We hope that this is a precious opportunity for foreign buyers to find appealing products to introduce to their home countries and for domestic tourism to open new markets."

Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran on Oct. 11 gives a speech of encouragement at the Korea Travel Fair held at the hotel Grand Walkerhill Seoul in Seoul's Gwangjin-gu District.