Kim Ji-soo joined The Korea Times in 2006, and worked on such desks as culture and politics and is currently a member of the Editorial Board. Previous workplaces include The Korea Herald and the Korea JoongAng Daily.
'Visit Korea Committee' welcoming Chinese tourists
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An event center for foreign tourists is located near Doota fashion mall in Dongdaemun, eastern Seoul. / Korea Times file
By Kim Ji-soo
By Kim Ji-soo
Visit Korea Committee is holding a variety of promotional events with retailers and the nation’s flagship carriers for the estimated 80,000 Chinese tourists expected to visit Korea during the Lunar New Year holiday or “Seollal.”
While the Lunar New Year’s Day falls on Jan. 31, Korea goes into public holiday mode starting Thursday.
The committee will operate a “roving tourist service center” in collaboration with Shinsegae Department store in Myeong-dong, which will open from Feb. 1 through Feb. 5, and also with the Hyundai Department Store in Samseong-dong, from Feb. 6 through Feb. 9. The center will provide Chinese visitors with information as well as lottery events in conjunction with the two leading department stores.
For those that visit the Korea Grand Sale event center in Dongdaemun, the committee will select 100 on a first-come, first service basis, offering fortune cookies and a chance to experience Korean wave stars’ makeup. The Korea Grand Sale is in its fourth edition this year, with a total of 27,567 department stores, duty free shops, outlets, hotels and convenience stores participating. For more information, visit www.koreagrandsale.co.kr.
Meanwhile, Lunar New Year’s promotions operated with Korea Air, Jeju Air and Jin Air will continue through February. Korean Air is currently advertizing special price deals to Korea as well as information on the Korea Grand Sale through Expedia; Jeju Air through Facebook; and Jin Air through Skyscanner.