Kim Rahn is the managing editor of The Korea Times. Since joining the company in 2003, she has covered various beats including the presidential office, Seoul city government, the Bank of Korea and the tourism industry. In 2014, she won the Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) award for her coverage of the ordeals of migrant women in Korea.
Seoul, Beijing tourists to enjoy mutual discounts
By Kim Rahn
Seoul and Beijing are moving to offer discounts to visitors from each other’s cities next year in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of sisterhood.
Seoul City officials including Vice Mayor for Political Affairs Kim Hyeong-joo discussed the incentive programs with their counterparts, including Beijing’s Vice Mayor Ding Xiangyang, during their visit to the Chinese capital from March 8 to 10.
“We proposed providing tourism incentives to Seoul citizens visiting Beijing and Beijing citizens visiting Seoul. The Beijing officials said they would consider it affirmatively,” a city official said on Sunday.
The cities are considering offering discounts for tourist facilities, such as admissions for tourist attractions and performances and guesthouse fees. Discount rates and applied facilities will be decided later.
Seoul and Beijing will also seek to invite families of students studying in each other’s countries and have them stay for up to six months at local people’s houses like home stay programs.
“So far, Seoul’s cooperation with sisterhood cities has been nominal. We are promoting the schemes to make the relationship more practical. We’ll soon invite Beijing officials to Seoul and discuss details of the plans, so that we can implement the project next year when the friendship ties mark 20 years,” the official said.
The Korean city also plans to request the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ease regulations on visa issuance to Chinese travelers, as well as invite Beijing officials to the finance forum to be held in November on the occasion of the opening of the Yeouido International Finance Center.