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Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyePark Hyatt Seoul presents 'Winter at the Park Package' Park Hyatt Seoul is offering the “Winter at the Park Package,” a seasonal getaway promising comfort and relaxation in the middle of winter. Available for stays until Feb. 28, the package combines one night in a Park Hyatt guestroom with 100,000 won ($91) in dining credits that guests can spend on room service and at all hotel restaurants, in addition to a gift of Aesop hand cream.Dining credits can also be spent on alcoholic beverages, further enhancing the festive spirit. Room service dinner offers an epicurean dining experience in comfort and privacy amid captivating urban views, conjuring the perfect in-room vacation ambience. Park Hyatt Seoul rooms feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows that usher in dynamic views of the city by day and sparkling nightscapes after sunset, creating the ideal setting for an in-room stay. Guests choosing a suite are presented with a complimentary bottle of wine and access to the hotel sauna. The early bird su

Dec 24, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Closer to nature: 4 locations for contactless road trips

Heonhwa-ro in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, is the closest road to the sea in Korea. / Courtesy of Korea Tourism OrganizationBy Jun Ji-hyeAs an increasing number of people have been looking for safer getaways amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, road trips where travelers use their own cars have been gaining growing popularity as a means of reducing the risks of face-to-face interactions while traveling.The public health crisis that has lasted for about a year has also brought changes in travel patterns as more people this year opted to visit beaches and rural areas seeking safer travel opportunities in less-crowded destinations, according to a report by Kim Eun-hee, a research specialist at the Korea Tourism Organization. A road trip offers tourists the perfect opportunity to go off the beaten path, enjoy scenic views and get closer to nature in the privacy and comfort of their cars, all while enjoying the flexibility and freedom this style of travel offers.Here are four locations perfect for road trips to refresh tired bodies and minds, recommended by Agoda, one of the big-name onl

Dec 22, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Closer to nature: 4 locations for contactless road trips

Eco-friendly tourist spots become popular amid pandemic

The entrance to Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul is quiet amid the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, Aug. 23. / Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwonBy Jun Ji-hyeThe prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes in travel patterns as more people this year opted to visit beaches and rural areas seeking safer travel opportunities in less-crowded destinations.This trend meant traditionally popular tourist spots such as Gyeongju in North Gyeongsang Province, which is known for its numerous historical landmarks, have seen a decrease in the number of tourists this year from a year earlier. According to a report by Kim Eun-hee, a research specialist at the Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul's Jongno District and Gyeongju have respectively suffered 25.9 and 28.9 decreases in the number of tourists this year, while there was a 30.9 percent fall in the number of visitors to Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. The findings were published in a recent report announced by Statistics Korea.Tourists to Jeju City and Seogwipo City on the southern resort island of Jeju have also decreased by 31.7 percent an

Dec 17, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Eco-friendly tourist spots become popular amid pandemic

Hotel Lobby

By Jun Ji-hyeShinsegae Chosun Hotel changes name to Josun Hotels & Resorts The Shinsegae Chosun Hotel has decided to change its name to Josun Hotels & Resorts in a bid to strengthen the Josun brand image and improve its competitiveness as one of the leading hospitality companies in Korea. The new name of the company aims to carry on the legacy of the Chosun Hotel, and to make pronunciation of the Korean word easier for foreigners unfamiliar with the local standard Romanization system. The change will be applied in January. The brand identity will change as well in order for the company to coherently align its image. The Westin Chosun Seoul and The Westin Chosun Busan will each change their names to The Westin Josun Seoul and The Westin Josun Busan to streamline the Josun brand image. The company is planning to expand the presence of the Josun brand, raise the hotel's status and clarify each portfolio system by having one united brand under Shinsegae including its standalone hotel, as well as the Grand Josun an

Dec 17, 2020

7 in 10 Koreans plan to travel abroad after COVID-19 vaccine becomes available: poll

GettyimagesbankSeven out of 10 South Koreans plan to travel abroad after coronavirus vaccines are developed, a survey showed Wednesday.According to Incheon International Airport Corp.'s recent survey, 70.2 percent of South Koreans and 82 percent of foreign nationals said they have overseas travel plans after the development of COVID-19 vaccines is completed.The survey was conducted on 1,000 Koreans and 600 foreign nationals from China, Japan, Vietnam and other countries from Oct. 30 to Nov. 20.Of them, 33.4 percent of Koreans and 35.3 percent of foreigners said they are willing to go abroad within three to six months after the vaccination development.As for the travel destination, 42.2 percent of Koreans preferred Europe, while 57.2 percent of foreigners preferred Asia. Over 90 percent of all respondents cited tourism as the reason for overseas travels, while only 8.8 percent of Koreans and 3.4 percent of foreigners cited business purposes.About half of all respondents said their overseas trips will last seven days to one month, while another 40 percent of them plan on traveling for

Dec 16, 2020

7 in 10 Koreans plan to travel abroad after COVID-19 vaccine becomes available: poll

Accor Ambassador Korea expanding presence across 10 cities

This computer-generated image shows ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport which is scheduled to open in 2022. / Courtesy of Accor Ambassador KoreaBy Jun Ji-hyeAccor Ambassador Korea has signed agreements with four new hotels in Korea in a bid to continue to expand its footprint across the country despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.The four new hotels are the Mercure Ambassador Jeju, the ibis Styles Ambassador Incheon Airport, the Mercure Ambassador Pyeongtaek and the Mercure Ambassador Mokpo. Through the upcoming opening of these hotels, the group will enter Pyeongtaek in Gyeonggi Province, Mokpo in South Jeolla Province and Jeju Island for the very first time.The latest announcement of the signings came after the group had already announced its plans to open the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences and the MGallery Hotel in 2021 and 2022. With this expansion, Accor Ambassador Korea, which is currently operating 26 hotels in seven cities with the recent openings of the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon and the Mercure Ambassador Seoul Hon

Dec 16, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Accor Ambassador Korea expanding presence across 10 cities

Tourists to Korea forecast to drop to 32-year low this year

Empty ticket lines are seen at the Gyeongbok Palace in Seoul, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. APThe number of overseas tourists visiting South Korea is expected to slump to the lowest level in 32 years amid the new coronavirus pandemic that has practically paralyzed the global tourism sector, data showed Tuesday.The number of foreigners who visited the country in the January-October period reached 2.39 million, down 83.6 percent from the same period last year, according to the culture ministry and the state tourism office.Roughly half of the figure ― 1.27 million ― was tallied in January. But after the country reported its first virus case in January, the number began to slide to 685,000 in February and 83,000 in March. The monthly average stayed at the 60,000 level throughout July to October.If the decline continues, the number of incoming tourists is expected to total 2.5 million at the end of year, which would be the lowest since 2.34 million in 1988. The forecast is also a far cry from the government's 20 million projection made earlier this year."The number of incoming tourists reached a

Dec 15, 2020

Tourists to Korea forecast to drop to 32-year low this year

5 hotels ideal for reading books during winter holidays

Five local hotels are recommended for people who want to read books and refresh their tired body and soul during winter vacations. / GettyimagesbankBy Jun Ji-hyeThe prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has changed almost every aspect of people's lives, including the way they enjoy holidays. An increasing number of people have sought to spend their holidays at domestic hotels, being unable to travel abroad due to lockdowns imposed worldwide to halt the spread of the contagious disease.Some local hotels offer an optimal environment for guests to enjoy reading a book, which can be one of the best ways to enjoy a cold winter vacation amid the pandemic. Here are five hotels ideal for reading a book while drinking a cup of coffee or tea, recommended by Booking.com, a global online booking platform.L'Escape HotelL'Escape Hotel runs an antique European-style library reserved for suite room guests on the seventh floor. / Courtesy of L'Escape HotelL'Escape Hotel located in the heart of Seoul offers guests a chance to read books in an antique European-style library. As the hotel caters to guests who dre

Dec 10, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

5 hotels ideal for reading books during winter holidays

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas unveils 'true luxury'

The Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas reopened Dec. 1 after an 11-month renovation. / Courtesy of Grand InterContinental Seoul ParnasBy Jun Ji-hyeThe Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas at the center of Seoul's Gangnam District reopened Dec. 1 after an eleven-month-long renovation project that was aimed at setting new standards for a luxurious lifestyle.Following the 2014 refurbishment of the lobby and restaurant on the ground floor and shared facilities including the Grand Ballroom, the hotel, which first opened in 1988, has now been completely transformed after the renovation of the exterior of the hotel and all rooms from the seventh to the 33rd floor. The InterContinental Club Lounge, which was located on the 26th floor, has now been moved to the hotel's top floor, the 34th, in a symbolic change that indicates the club's upgraded services. The hotel's overall interior design was done by 1508 London, a British interior design group that was in charge of various interior design projects for five-star hotels in Europe and the Middle East. The hotel said the interior creates an ele

Dec 10, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas unveils 'true luxury'

Mungyeong farmer grows premium apples with honey-sweet flavors

Farmer Sohn Seong-kook shows some of the Gamhong apples he has grown in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province. / Courtesy of Sohn Seong-kookBy Jun Ji-hyeSohn Seong-kook, a farmer committed to growing premium apples in Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, calls himself a “happy farmer” who has drawn the attention of apple lovers.Among others, the Gamhong apples he grows have gained popularity across the country for their distinguished taste and texture.The Gamhong apple cultivar is a mid-late season apple that was introduced in 1992 in Korea. The cultivar is famous for its palatability, but is known to be very difficult to grow.“I began growing apple trees in 2001, and cultivated my first Gamhong apples seven years ago,” Sohn said in an interview with The Korea Times, noting that the cultivar is very crisp and offers honey-sweet flavors even when it is eaten with the peel on.The harvest season of Mungyeong's Gamhong apples lasts for only about 20 days in October, and numbers are very limited. A 10-kilogram box of Gamhong apples costs about 100,000 won ($92), fa

Dec 10, 2020By Jun Ji-hye

Travel & Food

Travel & Food

Hotel Lobby

Closer to nature: 4 locations for contactless road trips

Eco-friendly tourist spots become popular amid pandemic

Hotel Lobby

7 in 10 Koreans plan to travel abroad after COVID-19 vaccine becomes available: poll

Accor Ambassador Korea expanding presence across 10 cities

Tourists to Korea forecast to drop to 32-year low this year

5 hotels ideal for reading books during winter holidays

Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas unveils 'true luxury'

Mungyeong farmer grows premium apples with honey-sweet flavors

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