Korea Tourism Body Launches Visitor Drive Across Three Southeast Asian Nations

The Korea Tourism Organization has joined hands with financial companies, airlines, and travel platforms in Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam to attract inbound tourists to Korea.

A delegation led by President Park Sung-hyuk conducted local sales activities in the three Southeast Asian countries from the 13th to the 17th to accelerate the achievement of 30 million foreign visitors, the organization said on the 20th.

In Thailand, the organization is pursuing a joint Korea campaign with Krungthai Card (KTC), the country's largest financial company, and Thai Airways. It plans to hold discount events on flights to Korea, including Thai Airways, and introduce travel products combining K-beauty and wellness. The organization will promote Korea tourism to approximately 3.7 million KTC members.

With TrueMoney, Thailand's largest fintech company, it will offer benefits related to shopping and K-beauty clinics targeting people in their 20s and 30s. With Quality Express, a major travel agency, it will develop regional gastronomy products based at Daegu and Gimhae airports, aiming to attract 30,000 visitors to Korea over the next three years.

In Singapore, the organization signed a memorandum of understanding with Klook, a global activity platform. The two sides will jointly plan Korea travel products utilizing regional festivals and gastronomy, and promote regional tourism through Klook's creator program.

The organization is also pursuing joint marketing with Singapore Airlines targeting multiple Southeast Asian countries. With Chan Brothers Travel, a major local travel agency, it agreed to cooperate on premium tourism products, K-culture products for Muslims, and attracting MICE groups.

In Vietnam, the organization is focusing on expanding flights and attracting family tourists. In cooperation with VietJet Air, it will hold discount events on flights to Korea through this September, and with Vietnam Airlines it will conduct a joint campaign targeting middle-class family tourists.

With Vietravel, Vietnam's largest private travel agency, it will develop regional tourism products utilizing the K-Vietnam Valley in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, and world cultural heritage sites in the Gyeongsang region. The goal is to attract 50,000 visitors to Korea over the next two years, including corporate incentive groups.

"To bring forward the era of 30 million foreign visitors, it is important to set detailed targets for each market and execute them concretely," said Park Sung-hyuk, president of the Korea Tourism Organization. "We will do our best to expand demand for visiting Korea by cooperating in various ways with local partner companies at the key points of contact for inbound tourism, such as global platforms, airlines, and financial firms, so that it leads to the revitalization of regional tourism."