Arrivals to Korea have been on the upswing, and the Korea Tourism Organization stands ready to help retailers who are looking to grow this segment of their international business.
In 2005, arrivals passed the six million mark for the first
time, and through the first eight months of the year they grew at rate of 2.3
percent. Arrivals from the
Next year, the country is aiming for 7.5 million visitors,
and is expecting that 600,000 of them will hail from the U.S. Travel options
are on the upswing, as well. Korean Air added Las Vegas-Seoul service; United
increased its San Francisco-Seoul route to daily service; and Delta also has
increased its lift between
Also raising
For its part, the Korea Tourism Organization provides agents with a variety of resources. Among them are a travel planner, a meeting guide for convention information, a tour guide, posters, maps and a range of regional information.
Meanwhile, the Korea Tourism Organization's
The KTO recently moved into a historic building on
KTO's new digs include a 3,200-square-foot exhibition hall
equipped with such technology as 22 high-definition video screens, touch-screen
information kiosks and Internet access to KTO's web site. The expanded space
and technology help ensure that the organization is even better able to help
retailers, says Maureen O'Crowley, KTO marketing manager. Having spent 28 years
as the owner/manager of a retail travel agency in southern
In addition to providing help to agents and consumers at the new location, KTO also plans to host events at its offices on a regular basis. The first event for retailers there will be the ASTA Los Angeles Chapter Korea Presentation on November 16.
"With the addition of exhibition space, we will be able to serve a Korean banquet to enhance the culture experience that evening," says O'Crowley.
Retailers who would like to request collateral can call the
KTO at 323-634-0280. Agents wishing to contact O'Crowley can e-mail her at
[email protected].