By Kim Seon Ah
Video = Visit Korea

A festival highlighting the country's cosmetics and beauty sector, a major point of interest among foreign visitors, has opened in Seoul.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization on June 24 announced their joint hosting of the Korea Beauty Festival through July 19 at the tourism promotional center HiKR Ground in Seoul's Jung-gu District.

The third edition of the annual event has as its theme "All About Beauty" to introduce the country's diverse beauty culture and promote Korean beauty tourism to the world.

Among those attending the opening ceremony on June 24 were actor Hyeri, the festival's promotional ambassador, and honorary ambassadors for Korean tourism Ceci de la Cueva, a Mexican actor and singer, and Chadraval Ganginz attended.

The venue has a Korean beauty interactive center allowing visitors to try makeup, hairdressing and fashion. They can also try activities and expert-led programs including skin and beauty self-diagnosis, idol-style makeup, hairstyling and personal color analysis.

In cooperation with online travel agencies at home and abroad, an exhibition of Korean beauty tourism products will run through Sept. 30. Foreign tourists can book over 800 Korean beauty tourism programs including makeup, hairstyling and skincare.

Business meetings are also scheduled with travel companies from 19 countries and Korean beauty, medical and wellness businesses, as well as familiarization tours for the global travel industry.

sofiakim218@korea.kr