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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.

Credibility of Michelin Guide Seoul still in doubt

The Michelin Guide Seoul 2018 reads that Buchon Yukhoe raw beef restaurant occupies a corner of the “infamous” raw beef alley of Gwangjang Market, although its description written in Korean does not include any word having a negative connotation. / Courtesy of Rep. Lee Dong-supSpelling errors, questionable reviews taint restaurant guideBy Park Jae-hyukThe Michelin Guide Seoul continues to face credibility questions as the Korean version of the restaurant guide is still full of spelling mistakes and factual errors, according to a lawmaker and local chefs Wednesday.The Michelin Guide Seoul 2019, which will be released Thursday, is attracting keen attention from restaurant owners, chefs and diners as to whether it will be free of controversial reviews and incorrect information.Rep. Lee Dong-sup of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party said he discovered 130 errors in Michelin Guide Seoul 2018, the second edition of the restaurant guidebook published in 2017 for foodies in Korea.For example, the book reads that Buchon Yukhoe raw beef restaurant occupies a corner of the &ldqu

Oct 17, 2018By Park Jae-hyuk
Credibility of Michelin Guide Seoul still in doubt

98% of visitors to Korea intend to return, survey shows

By Park Si-soo Nearly 98 percent of inbound travelers intend to visit South Korea again and 96 percent returned home with good feelings about the country, a survey showed Monday.The Visit Korea Committee released the figures based on a survey of 34,000 visitors in Seoul's five major tourist destinations ― Dongdaemun, Mount Nam, Myeong-dong, streets near Hongik University and Namdaemun ― from Sep. 18-28. The participants responded while visiting tourism information centers in the areas. “The fact that 98 percent of respondents expressed an intention to come to Korea again reflects our spirit of hospitality was delivered well to foreign visitors,” said Visit Korea Committee Secretary General Han Gyeong-ah.“The Korea Grand Sale is due January ― we are preparing for more diverse benefits and promotional events to make the event a big success.”

Oct 15, 2018
98% of visitors to Korea intend to return, survey shows

Greece bans overweight tourists from riding donkeys

Screen grab of Help the Santorini Donkey's FacebookBy Jung Min-hoGreece has banned overweight tourists from riding donkeys on the island of Santorini after activists complained that the animals suffer spinal injuries.According to local media Wednesday, the country's Ministry of Rural Development and Food has published a new set of regulations to protect the donkeys.People who wish to ride the donkeys now have to weigh less than 100 kilograms ― or 20 percent of the donkey's body weight.The animals “should not be loaded with a weight excessive in size, age or physical condition,” the ministry said.Riding a donkey is a popular way of looking around the tourist island, which has pathways too narrow for cars.Videos and pictures of obese tourists riding donkeys prompted a backlash on social media in July, and an online petition calling for an end to the “unnecessary animal torture” garnered more than 100,000 signatures.

Oct 11, 2018By Jung Min-ho
Greece bans overweight tourists from riding donkeys

South Korea has 3rd most powerful passport

South Korean passport holders can travel freely to 188 countries and territories. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoSouth Korea has the third most powerful passport in the world, according to the latest study by law firm Henley & Partners.The 2018 Henley Passport Index Ranking showed Tuesday that the country's passport allows holders to travel freely to 188 countries and territories.Only the Japanese passport (190) and the Singaporean passport (189) offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more destinations.Myanmar this month became the 188th country to give South Korean visitors a visa waiver.German and French passports are tied for third.Iraq and Afghanistan ranked at the low end of the spectrum, providing visa-free access to 30 countries each, with Syria and Somalia only just ahead with 32 visa-free destinations.The Henley Passport Index ranks the travel documents based on data from the International Air Transport Association, the world's largest database of travel information.Top1. Japan (190)2. Singapore (189)3. South Korea, France, Germany (188)4. Denmark, Finland, Italy, Sweden, Spa

Oct 11, 2018By Jung Min-ho
South Korea has 3rd most powerful passport

Hotel Lobby

By Kang Seung-wooGrand InterContinental Seoul Parnas has new GM Brian Harris has been appointed as the new general manager of the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas. The American, who's logged over 20 years of experience in the luxury hotel sector, has held positions with the Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency. Most recently, he held a dual role as the resident manager at the Hotel Mulia Senayan and the Suites at Hotel Mulia Senayan in Jakarta.Harris returns to Korea with his wife and son, where he has resided for almost 10 years working for a well-known luxury hotel. “I understand the need to embrace change and constantly enhance innovation. As the new general manager, I will motivate the team to be at the forefront of this change, adapting to the rapidly changing environment while providing personalized experiences to elevate the overall lifestyle of our customers all,” the new general manager said.Magic show coming to Shilla Jeju The Shilla Hotel Jeju will present a magic show starting next month for those who want to stay in the hotel rather than going out in

Oct 11, 2018By Kang Seung-woo
Hotel Lobby

Trip.com offers Korean-customized services

Trip.com CEO Jane Sun speaks during a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday. / Courtesy of Trip.comBy Kang Seung-wooTrip.com, Asia's largest online travel agency, has unveiled Korean-focused services amid the country's growing presence in the global travel market.The announcement came at a press conference in Seoul, Wednesday, held by the Chinese travel agency to mark the first anniversary of its rebranding from Ctrip.“Korea is one of the fastest-growing travel markets in the world as more than two-thirds of Korean tourists travel abroad every year,” CEO Jane Sun said.“We have firm belief that Korea will be one of the key markets for us to help us grow outside of China.” To this end, the Shanghai-based company had researched Koreans' travel behaviors and found their three traits: price sensitivity, mobile savvy and high customer service expectations.Considering those factors, the online travel agency has come up with localized solutions in order to appeal to Korean customers.“We are very happy to announce that we are opening our first customer service cen

Oct 11, 2018By Kang Seung-woo
Trip.com offers Korean-customized services

Korean tourist dies while snorkeling in Egypt

Dahab in Egypt / YonhapBy Jung Min-hoA Korean tourist, 33, died while snorkeling off Dahab beach in Egypt last month.According to Koreans living in the area Tuesday, the man went snorkeling “20 to 30 meters” off the coast with other tourists on Sept. 28.He was seen as unresponsive by others and was brought to shore. He was later pronounced dead.It is unclear what caused his death.Dahab, a small town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, is famous for golden sand beaches and fascinating diving spots.

Oct 10, 2018By Jung Min-ho
Korean tourist dies while snorkeling in Egypt

Vault Steakhouse hosts 'thank you' event to mark 4th anniversary

The main entrance of Vault Steakhouse in Chungdam-dong.By Park Si-soo The Vault Steakhouse is running a “thank you” event to celebrate its fourth anniversary. During the event, running through Nov. 30, customers who order one of the restaurant's best-selling dishes ― For Two or All-in-One ― will receive a free premium dessert cake.“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to people who have loved Vault Steakhouse over the past four years,” a Vault Steakhouse manager said. “We will do our best to cater to customers with better steak and services.” Vault Steakhouse, in Chungdam-dong, southern Seoul, was listed in the Michelin Guide in 2017 and 2018. For more information: visit http://vaultsteakhouse.co.kr/One of the restaurant's best-selling dishes, For Two.

Oct 10, 2018
Vault Steakhouse hosts 'thank you' event to mark 4th anniversary

In search of lost part of Haecho's essay on Silk Road

This photo shows "Journal of Five Nations inindia," written by Silla Kingdom monk Haecho in the early 8th century. Korea Times fileChoi Yearn-hong, center in front row, poses with tourists during his trip to the Silk Road.By Choi Yearn-hong I took a trip to the Silk Road to find Wangochonchukukjon or “Journal of Five Nations in India,” written by Silla Kingdom monk Haecho in the early 8th century. It's the first travel essay written by a Korean on the people, governments, diets, dresses and religions across 40 nations and places, through what is now modern day India, Iran, Central Asia, and the West, compiled throughout his pilgrimage to Buddha's birthplace in India based on his four-year trip there between 723 and 727.? He died in Tang when he was 78.His essay was discovered in 1908 by French sinologist and scholar, Paul Pelliot, inside Cave #17 in the?Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes, and was later shipped to the National Library of France in Paris for exhibition. Choi on camel ridingThe front and back of the essay had disintegrated for unknown reasons.The Buddhist monk's journe

Oct 9, 2018
In search of lost part of Haecho's essay on Silk Road

New Zealand can impose $3,200 fine if you don't disclose phone password at border

From this month, New Zealand's customs officials have enforced a tough new rule at airports. YonhapBy Jung Min-hoNew Zealand can now fine you up to $NZ5,000 ($3,200) if you refuse to give your phone or laptop passwords to customs officials at the country's border.New Zealand's Customs and Excise Act 2018, which came into force early this month, allows customs officials to demand passwords for travelers' electronic devices.Those who refuse to cooperate could face fines as well as prosecution and their devices could be confiscated.But officials should have “reasonable cause” to suspect someone of breaching customs rules or of committing other crimes to demand a search.The new law has triggered resistance from rights groups, which have expressed privacy concerns.“Modern smartphones contain a large amount of highly sensitive private information including emails, letters, medical records, personal photos and very personal photos,” said Thomas Beagle, the chairman of the NZ Council for Civil Liberties.Local media reported that New Zealand border officials carried ou

Oct 9, 2018By Jung Min-ho
New Zealand can impose $3,200 fine if you don't disclose phone password at border
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