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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.

Korea Grand Sale benefits tourists during Olympics

International tourism ambassadors for Korea, from left, Lin Wanling, Phatthararawee Bausuwan, Miyoko Omomo and Star Lengas pose at the PyeongYang Pavilion in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, Jan. 24. /Courtesy of Visit Korea CommitteeBy Kim Jae-heunSince 2012, Korea has attracted over 10 million foreign tourists annually with the growth rate rising an average 12.6 percent each year. Around 17,240,000 tourists visited Korea in 2016 alone, the highest number of visitors here ever recorded. To develop the country as an attractive tourist destination, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism founded the Visit Korea Committee in 2008 to launch a new campaign “Visit Korea Year 2010 _ 2012,” providing benefits in various sectors such as flights, accommodation, shopping, entertainment and food under the title “Korea Grand Sale.”The Visit Korea Committee began its sales promotion this year from Jan. 18 and with nearly 195,000 foreigners expected to visit during the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the campaign offers a wide range of benefits for foreign tourists in Seo

Feb 2, 2018
Korea Grand Sale benefits tourists during Olympics

D-11 The how-tos of Olympic travel- A tale of 3 cities

Inside of the Gangneung Ice Arena / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-youngBy Yun Suh-youngPYEONGCHANG, GANGNEUNG — With 11 days left to the opening of 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, it’s soon becoming time for foreign press and tourists to enter the country.Some staff from the American broadcaster NBC, which is the official global broadcaster for the Olympic Games, have already settled into their main accommodation venue in Gangneung, one of the cities where the sports event will be held.When coming to the country, however, the Olympics should surely not be the only reason to be here. It’s also a great excuse to visit the cities where the games will be held. The three major regions where the Olympic games will take place are Yongpyeong, Daegwallyeong and Gangneung.But it may not be easy figuring out where to go, what to do or where to eat because PyeongChang (encompassing Yongpyeong and Daegwallyeong) isn’t exactly the most convenient or popular place to travel.Trying to experience being in foreign travelers’ shoes, this reporter made her way through publ

Jan 28, 2018
[D-11] The how-tos of Olympic travel- A tale of 3 cities
  • Treading on the snow, meditating
  • Gangneung, home to female influencers of Joseon

5-star hotels' dilemma: Running unprofitable restaurants to maintain status

The Parkview, the buffet restaurant at Seoul Shilla Hotel/ Courtesy of Seoul Shilla HotelBy Kim Se-jeongDuring dinner hours, the Parkview, the buffet restaurant at Shilla Seoul is packed with diners.It is an unusual scene for a restaurant of a five-star hotel amid the race among high-end hotels in the city to open their restaurants. But, hoteliers and experts say the Parkview’s success is not what it appears to be.“Due to the rising competition, hotels’ restaurant business is not making any money,” said CITI Choi, CEO of Le Meridien Seoul, a five-star hotel in southern Seoul that opened in September last year. Le Meridien is struggling to promote its buffet restaurant, Chef’s Palette. The lack of profitability among hotel restaurants is due to two factors, one of which is the rising competition. The number of hotels and other types of accommodation nationwide increased from 1,073 in 2012 to 1,716 in 2016. In Seoul alone, the number of five-star hotels increased from 21 in 2012 to 28 in 2016. Hotel restaurants also compete with non-hotel restaurants. Peop

Jan 25, 2018
5-star hotels' dilemma: Running unprofitable restaurants to maintain status

Hotel briefs

Paradise City’s swimming pool/Courtesy of Paradise CityParadise City offers four Lunar New Year holiday packages between Feb. 15 and 17.The European Winery Paradise package gives guests access to a European winery station to be set up in the hotel’s foyer. Fifteen types of wine from France, Spain and Italy will be available for tasting, along with snacks, cheeses, nuts and other finger foods. Guests also have access to the indoor swimming pool and fitness club as well.The Family Friendly package is designed for a four-member family. Package guests get a night stay in a hotel room, plus breakfast _ children can enjoy arts and crafts activities during the meal.The 24 Hours in Paradise package, only available for Feb. 17, allows guests to stay a full 24 hours at the hotel. The Make Your Choice package allows guests to choose between access to the club lounge coupled with a free sauna and a restaurant voucher worth 100,000 won.The package starts at 360,000 won, excluding tax and service fees. For more information, visit p-city.com or call (032) 729-2000.Courtesy of InterConti

Jan 25, 2018
Hotel briefs

Seoul and Incheon hotels offer promotions to celebrate the year of dog

Grand Hyatt Seoul made stuff animals inspired by dogs. /Courtesy of Grand Hyatt SeoulBy Kim Se-jeongMany hotels use the Chinese zodiac as a marketing tool, producing private-brand product or service packages associated with the year’s zodiac animal to reach out to potential guests.Hotels in Seoul and Incheon have prepared interesting packages in celebration of 2018, known as the year of The dog, man’s most beloved animal. Grand Hyatt SeoulSince 1998, Grand Hyatt Seoul has been making stuffed animals according to the zodiac year and their stuffed animals have been well-received by guests _ some of whom according to the hotel collect them. In celebration of the year of the dog, the hotel has designed stuff animals bbased on six dog breeds, including the Shiba Dachshund, Bedlington and Bulldog. The stuffed animals are available for purchase at the hotel’s deli, which can be reached at (02) 799-8167. The Westin Chosun SeoulThe Westin Chosun Seoul is selling puppy cupcakes at its deli to celebrate the year. The carrot cupcakes, decorated with cream cheese and mascarpone

Jan 25, 2018
Seoul and Incheon hotels offer promotions to celebrate the year of dog

Places to visit in Gangneung, another winter Olympic city

People gather to see the first sunrise of 2018 / Courtesy of Gangneung CityBy Kim Jae-heunThe 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics are up in three weeks and around 190,000 people are expected to visit Korea during the global sporting event. Fifteen events are scheduled to take place in PyeongChang, Jeongseon County and Gangneung during the 17 days.Gangneung, one of the most popular domestic tourist destinations of Gangwon Province, will host all the ice sports including ice hockey, figure skating and speed skating. Along with the sports events, the local government hopes Gangneung will become a global tourist destination taking advantage of the Olympic Games.Gangneung not only stands as a priority destination for tourists due to its proximity to PyeongChang, only a 30-minute car ride from the main stadium, but it also offers many special experiences that have been limited to locals. The sunrise at Jeongdongjin attracts an average of 1.3 million visitors a year for its splendid view over the East Sea. The site is only two hours by train from Seoul and the viewpoint stands right in front o

Jan 21, 2018

Hotel Lobby

The Park Hyatt Busan’s Lumi Spa is presenting its fifth anniversary package until March 31. The package includes a foot bath, a 40-minute facial treatment and a 50-minute body massage, using ginger body oil extracts. The package is available from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and costs 209,000 won from Monday through Thursday. Between Friday and Sundays, it costs 242,000 won, including tax. Reservations are required and room guests can receive a 10-percent discount. For reservations and more information, call (051) 990-1400. The Courtyard Marriott Seoul Namdaemun appointed Christopher Johns as a new general manager as of Jan. 1. Originally from Australia, Johns worked for Marriott International for 20 years, including Brisbane Marriott Hotel, Sydney Harbour Marriot Hotel, JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes in the United States and JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tuscon, Arizona.Johns also worked for the Renaissance Seoul Hotel before joining the Renaissance Hong Kong Harbour View Hotel. For the last three years, he was the hotel manager at the JW Marriott Hotel in Bangkok. “I

Jan 12, 2018
Hotel Lobby

Disconnect yourself at Grand Ambassador Seoul

Executive Double Room/Courtesy of Grand Ambassador Seoul Associated with PullmanBy Kim Se-jeong With the year-end and New Year’s parties over, it’s time to disconnect and recharge. For those who want to remain at least partly connected by technology, take a look at the rooms on the executive floor of the Grand Ambassador Seoul Associated with Pullman. The hotel’s internet of things (IoT) package offers all the comfort and relaxation you could possibly imagine. Scan QR codeThis screen capture shows the app to control room conditionsThe service starts by scanning the QR code on the room wall. If you don’t have a scanner app, you can download it onto your smartphone or tablet. With the downloaded application, you can control almost everything you see in the room, ranging from curtains to ordering an extra pillow for the night. Also, you can control the television with smartphone, and lights and lamps scattered across the room, probably the most convenient feature of all. If you simply click “Deep Sleep” or “Release Stress,” lights go up an

Jan 12, 2018
Disconnect yourself at Grand Ambassador Seoul

WEEKENDER When in PyeongChang, pair wine with Gangwon food

Gamjajeon (potato pancake), below, paired with three white wines - from left, Le Petit Caboche (2015), La Cour Pavillon (2016) and La Joya (2014).  / Korea Times photo by Yun Suh-youngBy Yun Suh-young The 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics is right around the corner, ready to greet guests from all over the world.When athletes and tourists come to PyeongChang for the Games, they won't just be participating in the event, but also trying the foods Gangwon Province has to offer. It will be a great opportunity for foreigners and locals alike to sample the culinary delights the region has to offer, in addition to exploring the natural surroundings. When in Gangwon, however, one should try exploring the flavors of the region with wine. Not many people pair Korean food with wine or know they go surprisingly well together - but in fact, they do. Wine consultant Sarah Soo-kyung Henriet who is also CEO of wine and food pairing membership service Soodevie, traveled recently to Gangwon Province ahead of the Winter Olympics to experiment on the region's foods with a variety of Eu

Jan 11, 2018
[WEEKENDER] When in PyeongChang, pair wine with Gangwon food

INTERVIEW Entrepreneur wants to bridge Korea, Denmark

Bruce Kim, who leads Korean restaurant KOPAN, media outlet Naked Denmark and travel agency Insight Denmark, poses in front of the restaurant. / Courtesy of KimBy Choi Ha-youngFor most of Koreans, Denmark is a faraway country with an unimaginable welfare system that Korea does not dare imitate. That’s not the case for Bruce Kim, 33, founder of KOPAN, a Korean restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark. Seven years ago, Kim arrived in the Scandinavian country as a student majoring in engineering. As one of a handful Koreans staying there, he was often contacted by Korean media aimed at framing Denmark as the “happiest country.” “As a student there was a dearth of information. Is the ‘happiest country’ all about Denmark? I concluded that I needed to meet diverse people and starting a restaurant was the best way to do it,” Kim told The Korea Times. In his early days, he only sold hotteok, or Korean-styled pancakes filled with sugar and seeds. “I thought the winter season street food would appeal to Danish people, but what they wanted to taste were w

Jan 10, 2018
[INTERVIEW] Entrepreneur wants to bridge Korea, Denmark
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