Korea Tourism Organization Invites SMEs to Expand into Tourism Sector

Applications for 'Tourism Plus Tech' Accepted Until January 26

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization announced on January 6 that they are accepting applications from companies wishing to participate in the '2026 Tourism Plus Tech' program until 11 a.m. on January 26.

Tourism Plus Tech is a support program designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with outstanding technological capabilities expand their business into the tourism sector.

Any SME (incorporated business) participating in national research and development (R&D) projects that seeks to contribute to the revitalization of the tourism industry or create new types of tourism markets through its core technologies is eligible to apply for this program.

There are four recruitment categories: ▲Utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) (innovating customer experience), ▲Smart mobility, aviation, and transportation (enhancing mobility and accessibility), ▲Fintech (improving travel convenience and payment systems), and ▲Sustainable tourism (practicing ESG and promoting regional coexistence). A total of seven companies will be selected. Each selected company will receive up to 400 million won in commercialization funding over a maximum of two years. In addition, various forms of support will be provided, including business model consulting and open innovation opportunities with large and mid-sized enterprises.

The Korea Tourism Organization will hold an online briefing session at 3 p.m. on January 14 to provide an overview of the Tourism Plus Tech program, details about the recruitment categories and selection process, and to share the business achievements of previous participants. Detailed information about Tourism Plus Tech and the online briefing session can be found on 'Tourraj', the Korea Tourism Industry Portal.

Moon Soyeon, Head of the Tourism Enterprise Development Team at the Korea Tourism Organization, stated, "Tourism Plus Tech is a program that supports companies with technological capabilities to enter the tourism industry and achieve tangible business results. By encouraging technology companies to commercialize their tourism-related businesses, we aim to promote convergence between industries and contribute to innovation and enhanced competitiveness across the tourism sector."