Upgraded Integrated Marketing Platform Offers Personalized Itineraries and Engaging Content for Foreign Visitors

Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has recently launched an upgraded version of its foreign language website, VisitKorea.or.kr, as part of its efforts to enhance competitiveness and attract more foreign tourists to the country. With the integration of new marketing strategies, the KTO aims to assist the local travel industry in expanding its reach.

Since its inception in 2008, the online platform, available in eight languages including English, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, German, French, and Russian, has garnered an annual average of over 15 million visitors. The revamped site is designed to reflect the evolving tourism trends in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. By leveraging new IT technologies, the platform offers interesting content, introduces various services in the tourism industry, and promotes products to engage and entice visitors.

The upgraded VisitKorea platform comprises three main sections: "Plan your trip," "Where to go," and "Things to do." Under the "Plan your trip" category, visitors can create personalized itineraries based on their travel preferences, including location, travel dates, and interests. The platform suggests events, restaurants, accommodations, and sightseeing schedules on an interactive map, while also providing essential information for first-time visitors such as historical facts, transportation details, and useful tips.

In the "Where to go" section, the website showcases 150 new itineraries curated by K-culture celebrities and local travel experts, highlighting various themes. For instance, visitors can explore the southern coastal city of Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, following the itinerary recommended by Lee Do-hyun, known for his role in Netflix's "The Glory." K-pop sensation ATEEZ offers a serene stroll guide in the historic city of Gyeongju, located in North Gyeongsang Province.

The "Things to Do" category presents an array of travel packages centered around diverse themes, such as "hallyu" tourism, wellness and medical tourism, cultural activities and festivals, Islamic-friendly travel, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The website also features tour packages and travel stories covering various topics, including places visited by the K-pop phenomenon BTS, hiking trails at National Parks, a K-beauty tour in Seoul's upscale Cheongdam district, DMZ tours, and day trips to the seaside city of Pohang, made famous by the K-drama "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha."

To celebrate the platform's renewal, the KTO has organized a month-long membership event, offering special benefits, accommodation vouchers, music festival tickets, and shopping coupons for foreign tourists to enjoy during their stay in Korea. Participants can sign up on VisitKorea and participate in multiple rounds of lucky draw events held on the official website. The winners of each round will be announced on July 25 and August 8.

Looking ahead, the KTO plans to leverage the accumulated tourism data from the website to develop travel ideas and products in collaboration with local governments and the private tourism sector. The upgraded VisitKorea platform aims to serve as an invaluable resource for foreign travelers, providing them with an immersive and personalized experience while exploring the wonders of Korea.

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