Ministry of Culture and Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization Hold 'Online Travel to Korea Product Contest'

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 6th that they will hold a 'Korean Virtual Travel Product Contest' targeting domestic inbound travel agencies and experience program operators to revitalize the travel industry, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19.

The application period is from today until the 30th, and a total of 100 products will be selected, including one-day or shorter sightseeing and experience program products from inbound travel agencies and Korean culture and tourism experience program products from experience program operators. The eligibility requirements are that inbound travel agencies must have a tourism business registration certificate under the Tourism Promotion Act and a business registration certificate, and experience program operators must have a business registration certificate. The business experience must be at least six months.

The contest products are live tour products where foreign language-speaking guides and foreign participants communicate in real time while traveling. Applicants must choose one of five languages (English, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian) to apply. Applications should be submitted on the contest's dedicated website with a program composed of various themes such as Hallyu, family tourism, and safe tourism, along with an application form, product description, and a product summary video within 5 minutes. Each company can apply for up to four products.

Evaluation will be conducted through document and video assessments based on operational expertise, product attractiveness, and product completeness. Additional points totaling 2 points will be awarded: 1 point each for regional promotional products and products utilizing tourist interpretation guides. Each selected product will receive 5 million KRW to support product development and online promotion costs. Opportunities for product promotion and publicity will also be provided through domestic and international online travel platforms (OTA), the Korea Tourism Organization’s FIT product portal site ‘Visit Korea For Me,’ and the ‘2021 Korea Tourism Online Expo’ scheduled for July.

Joo Sang-yong, Director of the International Tourism Office at the Korea Tourism Organization, explained, "This contest aims to continuously expand interest in Korea among potential foreign tourists and enhance the image of Korea as a tourist destination they want to visit after the end of COVID-19," adding, "It also focuses on practical support for establishing a digital foundation for the inbound industry."

Detailed information can be found on the Korea Tourism Organization’s website under announcements and contests, the Tourism Enterprise Support Center website, and the Korea Association of Travel Agents website notices.