Promotional tour in four countries, including the United States, through March 2
The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee (hereinafter the "Organizing Committee") has begun on-site promotional activities to attract more international tourists from the Americas.
On February 20, the Organizing Committee held an information session on the Islands Expo for travel agencies and media outlets in the Americas at The Line Hotel in Los Angeles, United States.
The 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee held an information session on the Islands Expo in Los Angeles, United States, for media outlets and travel agencies in the Americas. Provided by the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo Organizing Committee.
The event was attended by around 30 participants from 17 organizations, including Cho Hyunggeun, Head of the Planning Headquarters of the Organizing Committee, Moon Changsook, Director of the Americas Office of Jeollanam-do Province, representatives from travel agencies such as Sonic Travel & Tour, Fora Travel, and Funtastica Travels, local media outlets such as The Korea Central Daily, The Korea Times, and KBS America, as well as officials from the Korean Cultural Center and the Los Angeles office of the Korea Tourism Organization.
During the briefing, Director Cho introduced an incentive program for travel agencies and requested cooperation in developing tourism products linked to the Islands Expo, attracting visitors, and carrying out promotional activities.
In addition, the Organizing Committee plans to visit the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Honolulu and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism of the State of Hawaii to hold meetings and request Hawaii's participation in the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo.
Then, by March 2, the itinerary will be extended to the Caribbean region, with visits to the Dominican Republic, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago, where the Organizing Committee plans to conduct promotional activities and engagement to secure participation from local governments and related organizations.
At present, 28 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the Islands Expo, and this visit to the Americas is expected to bring the Organizing Committee one step closer to achieving its goal of attracting 30 participating countries.
In addition, out of the target of 90,000 overseas visitors, more than 20,000 international tourists are expected to visit via international cruise ships and international flights to Yeosu Airport.
During the Islands Expo, 10 international cruise calls are scheduled, including ships operated by Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and the Mitsui Ocean Fuji, and 8 international round-trip services (16 flights) are planned on routes connecting Vietnam, China, and Mongolia.
The Organizing Committee plans to work with relevant agencies to strengthen its capacity to receive visitors, including providing expedited immigration services, in order to actively support the convenience of foreign visitors.
Kim Jonggi, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, stated, "Thanks to the popularity of K-pop and the broader Korean Wave, the Americas are a strategic market with strong demand for travel to Korea, making cooperation with local travel industries and media outlets extremely important," adding, "We will do our utmost to actively promote the Islands Expo so that it leads to tangible results in attracting international tourists."
Meanwhile, the 2026 Yeosu World Islands Expo is the world's first international exposition dedicated to islands, highlighting the value and future of islands under the theme "Islands: Connecting the Ocean and the Future." It is scheduled to be held from September 5 to November 4, 2026, in Jinmo District on Dolsan in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do Province, Republic of Korea, and surrounding areas.
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