[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Recently, as domestic travel has gained popularity due to COVID-19, 'Gyeongju travel,' which offers historical theme trips, is attracting attention. Local hotels are launching package products focused on travel and gourmet experiences, drawing the eyes of travelers.
According to the Korea Tourism Data Lab on the 27th, the number of external visitors to the Gyeongju area increased by about 27% from March to May this year compared to the same period last year. Gyeongju area hotels anticipate that the domestic vacation trend will continue this summer, making 'local theme travel,' which allows for unique domestic trips, the prevailing trend, and are introducing related packages.
Packages highlighting regional characteristics dominate. Kolon Hotel offers the 'Hello Temple' package, which takes advantage of its location just a 5-minute walk from Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, allowing guests to enjoy a Bulguksa outing. It includes one night’s stay, two Bulguksa admission tickets, and two beverages. The 'Minhwa Drawing' package, which lets guests experience both a hotel stay and traditional culture, is also available until December 31. It provides various coloring tools such as templates, paints, and palettes so guests can easily engage with traditional culture even inside their rooms.
Kensington Resort Gyeongju offers the 'Play with Gyeongju' package until August 31 for guests who want to enjoy a hotel stay with children. It includes a set of four 3D puzzles that allow visitors to recreate Gyeongju’s representative historic sites, a guidebook titled 'Hello, I am Gyeongju' that explains Gyeongju’s culture and history in a way children can easily understand, and various other gifts. Admission tickets to the night experience walking course 'Stars Embracing Silla,' decorated with splendid lights, are also provided.
There are also packages focused on 'gourmet' experiences. Kolon Hotel is selling the 'Wise Bread Life' package until July 31, which allows guests to enjoy a gourmet trip with bread made from Gyeongju local ingredients. Along with one night’s stay, a 10,000 KRW voucher for the hotel bakery is provided, allowing guests to enjoy new menu items at the restaurant 'Panorama,' such as Neungi mushroom bread, roasted glutinous rice bread, and cherry cream cheese bread.
Gyeongju Mauna Ocean Resort offers the 'Brewed by Mauna' package until July 31, which livens up the mood with the region’s famous Makgeolli. Along with room use, it provides one bottle of 'Boksoondoga Son Makgeolli,' the original carbonated Makgeolli. It is characterized by its refreshing carbonation and strong acidity.
Heo Jin-young, General Manager of Kolon Hotel, said, "Gyeongju has various local themes ranging from history to gourmet, steadily gaining popularity along with the increase in domestic travel demand." He added, "Recently, following 'Hwangridan-gil,' 'Bullidan-gil' has attracted attention with various cafes and experiential tourist facilities, and the number of customers visiting Kolon Hotel increased by 50% compared to the previous year as of May."
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