[Today's Travel] Sono Moon Haeundae Opens on the 5th, Marking Busan's First Entry External

Sono International's 18th Domestic Branch
Modetour Expands Japan Premium Packages
Lotte Tour Development Wins Korea Service Award, etc.

The travel and leisure industry shares new updates and product launches as of the 4th. Daemyung Sono Group's Sono International is opening the 'Sono Moon Haeundae' hotel in Busan. Modetour is strengthening its premium package 'Modu Signature' offerings for Japan. Lotte Tour Development received the grand prize in the travel services category, the only one in the travel industry, at the '2024 Korea Service Awards'.

Sono International Grand Opens 'Sono Moon Haeundae' Hotel

Sono Moon Haeundae 'Lounge Moon'
[Photo by Sono International]

Daemyung Sono Group's Sono International announced on the 5th that it will open the 'Sono Moon Haeundae' hotel on Haebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan. In March, Sono International acquired the Ibis Ambassador Haeundae Hotel located on Haeundaehaebyeon-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, and renewed the exterior, interior facilities, and design. Sono Moon Haeundae is a 20-story building above ground and 3 stories underground, featuring 237 rooms, restaurants, lounges, and other amenities. The hotel is within 100 meters of Haeundae Beach, accessible by a 3-minute walk. Sono Moon Haeundae is Sono International's 18th domestic business location and the first urban-style hotel introduced in the Busan area. The company explained that the opening of Sono Moon Haeundae will satisfy the needs of existing Sono membership holders and customers, expanding their choices. Seo Jun-hyuk, Chairman of Sono International, said, "Sono Moon Haeundae, a Sono Hotel & Resort brand, is entering Busan, a representative domestic tourist city, for the first time." He added, "With the successful opening and operation of Sono Moon Haeundae, we will solidify our position in the domestic hotel and resort market." He also stated, "We will continue to introduce new resorts such as Sol Beach Namhae and Wonsando Tourist Complex, doing our best to satisfy our members and customers."

Modetour Strengthens Japan 'Modu Signature' Lineup

Yufuin no Mori train in Fukuoka
[Photo by Modetour]

Modetour announced that it has strengthened its 'Modu Signature' product lineup for Japan, targeting customers who prefer premium travel. Modu Signature is Modetour's representative package brand aiming for reasonable premium travel, consisting of 'Signature' and 'Signature Black.' In response to the increasing demand for premium travel in Japan, a new 'Signature Black' product was launched. It offers no tipping, no shopping, no optional tours, stays at 5-star or higher hotels, and meals at famous local restaurants and hotel banquets for a more perfect travel experience. The flagship product is the 'Hokkaido Ryokan Onsen 4 Days.' It uses premium Korean Air flights and includes a 3-night stay at Noboribetsu Takinoya Ryokan, famous for its luxury traditional ryokan. The itinerary covers key tourist spots such as Noboribetsu, Toya, and Hokkaido, including popular paid optional tours like the Toya cruise and Usuzan Ropeway. Prices start from 5.99 million KRW. A product offering the most luxurious travel in the Kyushu region was also launched. The 'JAPAN Trans-Kansai to Kyushu 7 Days' package allows travel to Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Yufuin, and Fukuoka. Guests stay at the best luxury ryokans in each area and enjoy a romantic trip using Shinkansen, JR trains, and Japanese public transportation from Kyoto to Kyushu. The tour starts from two people and is designed for small groups under ten for a private experience. Prices start from 7.79 million KRW.

Lotte Tour Development Wins Grand Prize in Travel Services at '2024 Korea Service Awards'

Baekhyun, CEO of Lotte Tour Development (left), and Kang Myungsoo, Chairman of the Korea Standards Association, are posing for a commemorative photo at the '2024 Korea Service Awards' ceremony held on the 3rd at the Shilla Hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Lotte Tour Development]

Lotte Tour Development announced that it won the grand prize in the travel services category at the '2024 Korea Service Awards.' The company was recognized for leading the Korean travel industry for 53 years with high-quality customer service and premium travel products. This is the 15th time Lotte Tour Development has won since 2003 and the only grand prize winner in the travel industry. The Korea Service Awards, hosted by the Korea Standards Association (KSA), annually recognize companies that have established customer-centric service quality management systems and demonstrated outstanding achievements and levels in service quality innovation. Lotte Tour Development was praised for pioneering Korea's first cruise charter business since 2010, operating routes from Sokcho, Incheon, and Seosan, contributing to the development of the cruise industry and local economies. After COVID-19, the company launched business class products and recently introduced the 'HIGH& (High-End)' brand, strengthening premium offerings by actively reflecting customer feedback. Baek Hyun, CEO of Lotte Tour Development, said, "We prioritize customer opinions to provide the best travel services." He added, "Through this year's P.S.I (Product, Safety, Information) campaign, we will continue to offer the best travel, safe travel, and top-quality service."