Lifestyle - The Korea Times

Major tour agencies forecast to swing to profit in 2022

Surfers carry their boards as they watch a sunset at Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 14. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's major travel agencies are expected to recover from the prolonged fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and swing to a profit in 2022 on growing demand for overseas travel, a market tracker said Monday.Local brokerage houses have projected that industry leader HanaTour could register a consolidated operating income of 3.9 billion won ($33 million) in the coming year, a sharp turnaround from an operating loss of 114.9 billion won last year, according to financial information provider FnGuide.In the first half of this year alone, HanaTour posted an operating loss of 65.6 billion won. The company chalked up an operating income of 5.9 billion won in 2019 before the COVID-19 outbreak.Riders take picture of each other at the beach of the Baltic Sea in Scharbeutz, northern Germany, Oct.17. AP-YonhapRunner-up Mode Tour is also projected to record an operating income of 200 million won next year, compared with an operating loss of 10.5 billion won in the first half of this year.Yellow B

Oct 18, 2021

Major tour agencies forecast to swing to profit in 2022

'Squid Game' draws attention to Jeju Island

'Squid Game' draws attention to Jeju Island

Actress Jung Ho-yeon as Kang Sae-byeok in Netflix original series "Squid Game" / Courtesy of NetflixBy Nam Hyun-wooThe popularity of Netflix's original series “Squid Game” is pushing up global audiences' awareness of Jeju Island, after a brief reference to the scenic island during an episode of the Korean drama series. According to Google, the Google Trends global score of keyword search for “Jeju Island” for the period of Oct. 3 to 9 stood at 100, which is the highest in the 0-100 scale scoring system showing interest in a keyword in a specific time range. “Jeju” on its own also scored 100 during the same period.The score for “Jeju Island” had been moving between 10 and 25 from January to early September this year, but it spiked up after “Squid Game” was released on Sept. 17. The score was 43 for Sept. 19-25, 90 for Sept. 26―Oct. 2 and 100 for the Oct. 3-9 period. It declined slightly to 92 during the period of Oct. 10-16.Google Trends showed that related keywords to Jeju Island were “Squid Game,” “Squid G

Oct 18, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo

'Squid Game' draws attention to Jeju Island

Craft beer market sees big growth potential in Korea

gettyimagesbankBeer has long been a key ingredient of mixed drinks in South Korea, but changing appetites and the extended coronavirus pandemic have turned consumers toward diverse and unique flavors of craft beer.Craft beer sales are on the rise, as a growing number of people work from home due to social distancing, and those people increasingly prefer more diverse and tasty beers to existing mass-marketed lagers and ales. "Before the pandemic, I used to go to bars to have beer with my clients or friends after work. I recently found craft beer tasty and came to enjoy a diverse range of craft beer at my place," Uni Park, a 32-year-old exhibition planner in Seoul, said.During the past 1 1/2 years, some young people aged between 24-35 years have created a culture of enjoying craft beer purchased at convenience stores while watching Netflix movies and series at their homes, Kim Jin-man, a general manager at the Korea Craft Brewers Association (KCBA), said."Imported beer brands became popular in 2015 and 2016, as they provided ale and other diverse beer products. But in recent years, peo

Oct 15, 2021

Craft beer market sees big growth potential in Korea

Steak chef with 20 years of expertise introduces 'Dream Burger'

By Jun Ji-hyeBurton Yi, the head chef at Grand Hyatt Jeju's Steak House located within Jeju Dream Tower, is a world-class chef specializing in steak, as he started his career with Austrian-born celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck who is cited as one of the world's best steak chefs. Chef Burton Yi / Courtesy of Jeju Dream TowerYi worked at various Puck restaurants, from the flagship two-Michelin-star restaurant Spago Beverly Hills, to one-Michelin-star CUT Singapore. After leaving Puck, Yi ventured out to Macao and became the executive chef at Wynn Palace's SW Steakhouse, which has the sole distinction of being the only steakhouse to receive a Forbes five-star rating.After joining Grand Hyatt Jeju in July, he has put his 20-year steak knowhow to use in launching the “Dream Burger,” which contains quality ingredients including U.S. prime beef.“I use a blend of three different cuts of U.S. beef ― chuck roll, brisket and short rib. The chuck and brisket give a great 'beefy' flavor, while the short rib enhances the mixture as the fat in the short rib does not render as fast,&rd

Oct 14, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Steak chef with 20 years of expertise introduces 'Dream Burger'

Finding Korean architecture's beauty through night tours

The reflection of Woryeong Bridge lit up at night is seen in the water of the Nakdong River in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jung Da-minANDONG, YEONGJU / North Gyeongsang Province ― Following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, more travelers are discovering the charms of uncrowded outdoor places. Some also prefer visiting tourist destinations at night to have an even less crowded experience. But besides the lack of crowds, nighttime trips themselves offer a unique experience, providing different perspectives from those found during daytime. For those who want to make some special memories of nighttime traveling, several places in North Gyeongsang Province offer beautiful views of traditional or traditional-style Korean architecture in harmony with the surrounding nature.Woryeong BridgeUnder the moonlight, Woryeong Bridge, whose name means “moon's shadow,” tells visitors the story of a woman who lived in the area of Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, in the 1500s with her sick husband. In a mournful prayer for him to recover,

Oct 14, 2021

Finding Korean architecture's beauty through night tours

Singapore to allow entry of vaccinated travelers from Korea with no COVID-19 quarantine

People walk past an indoor waterfall at Jewel Changi Airport in Singapore, Oct. 7. Korea and Singapore agreed Friday to exempt or ease vaccinated travelers from mandatory quarantine upon arrival, in a step to help revitalize people-to-people exchanges between the two sides in the midst of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Reuters-YonhapSouth Korea and Singapore agreed Friday to exempt or ease vaccinated travelers from mandatory quarantine upon arrival, in a major step to help revitalize people-to-people exchanges between the two sides in the midst of the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, according to related ministries here Friday.Under the measure, effective from Nov. 15, passengers arriving in Singapore from South Korea will be exempt from the seven-day mandatory quarantine currently required by the Singaporean authorities. Seoul has already been allowing quarantine exemptions for vaccinated people coming in from most countries, including Singapore, but on limited grounds, such as humanitarian or other essential reasons, like family visits, business-related or public duties. Friday's dea

Oct 8, 2021

Singapore to allow entry of vaccinated travelers from Korea with no COVID-19 quarantine

Grand Josun Busan launches fall-themed package

Grand Josun Busan presents a fall-themed package that offers Kuoca's travel kit and Werk Roasters' drip bag coffee as a gift. Courtesy of Grand Josun BusanBy Jun Ji-hyeGrand Josun Busan, located right next to the popular Haeundae Beach, has launched a fall-themed package available until the end of November that offers guests the ultimate autumn experience.Guests of the “Chu-cance” package will receive limited-quantity travel kits by premium skincare brand Kuoca in addition to Werk Roasters' drip bag coffee.Kuoca's skincare products are popular for their natural and organic scents, made by Charles Sommeraed, a renowned French perfume creator sometimes referred to as the “Picasso of perfume making.” The package's travel kit includes the brand's toner, serum and cream.Werk Roasters is a Busan-based brand that introduces coffees of various origins. The package includes three kinds of blended drip bag coffee. Guests staying at the suites will get complimentary Aria buffet breakfast for two, along with a discount coupon worth 50,000 won ($42) for use at hotel restau

Oct 7, 2021

Grand Josun Busan launches fall-themed package

Sofitel opens hotel and serviced residence in Seoul

Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences opened in Seoul's Jamsil area on Sept. 30, becoming the world's first Sofitel-branded hotel and serviced residence complex. Courtesy of Sofitel Hotels & ResortsBy Jun Ji-hyeSofitel Hotels & Resorts, part of the Accor Group, opened Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences recently in Jamsil, a vibrant area in Seoul, offering guests convenient access to shopping, entertainment and business districts.The new property, which opened on Sept. 30, is the world's first Sofitel-branded hotel and serviced residence complex.Sofitel Hotels & Resorts has long been a global ambassador of French hospitality, interior decor and authentic cuisine, sharing the brand's spirit of “Art de Vivre” (“art of living”) with guests.The company said the histories and cultures of both South Korea and France have been integrated into the properties of Sofitel Ambassador Seoul.“We're delighted to introduce modern French luxury hospitality in Seoul, one of the most-sought-after cities in the world. Sofi

Oct 5, 2021

Sofitel opens hotel and serviced residence in Seoul

Over 15,500 foreigners use e-travel authorization system to enter Korea in Sept.: data

gettyimagesbankMore than 15,500 foreigners from visa-waiver countries used the new electronic travel authorization system to enter South Korea in the first month of its introduction, justice ministry data showed Sunday. A total of 15,811 foreign nationals applied for the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) in September, and 15,556 of them were approved, according to the Ministry of Justice. The K-ETA is an online electronic travel authorization that foreign visitors from visa-free nations need to obtain before entering Korea for the purposes of tourism, visiting relatives or business. They are required to submit personal and other information through a website or a mobile application. The government introduced the system last month for 49 countries, out of 112 with which it has visa-waiver agreements. Eligible countries may change based on their COVID-19 situations. By nationality, the United States accounted for the majority with 10,710, or 68 percent, followed by 981 from France, 952 from Germany, 666 from Britain and 307 from the Netherlands. The number of businesspeople

Oct 3, 2021

Over 15,500 foreigners use e-travel authorization system to enter Korea in Sept.: data

Online training for travel agents to offer useful information about Philippines

The Philippine Department of Tourism Korea (PDOT Korea) offers the Philippine Specialist Program, an online training program for travel agents in Korea designed to provide systematic and professional knowledge about the Philippines. Courtesy of Philippine Department of Tourism KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Philippine Department of Tourism Korea (PDOT Korea) has launched an online training program called the “Philippine Specialist Program” (PSP) designed to provide travel agents in Korea with systematic and professional knowledge about the Southeast Asian country.PDOT Korea said the program, which was launched Monday, offers vivid and useful information that reflects changing consumer trends amid the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the program is aimed at preparing for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic when international tourism is expected to resume.The course consists of online modules containing a total of 43 themes introducing various tourism resources, including history, local festivals, gastronomy, attractions, activities and useful travel tips. Each module includes video mate

Sep 30, 2021By Jun Ji-hye

Travel & Food