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Suncheon turns into botanical oasis city through int'l garden expo

Visitors enjoy sunset at the green square during the Suncheonman International Garden Expo, Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, April 30. Courtesy of Suncheon CityBy Lee Hae-rinSUNCHEON, South Jeolla Province ― Located near the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Suncheon is a serene city renowned for its wetland habitat and a slow travel destination recommended for those looking for a break from the bustle of city life. The city, with its name literally meaning a “city abiding by heaven's will,” has been transformed into a garden city through the Suncheonman International Garden Expo 2023 that kicked off, April 1.Under the 203.2 billion won ($153 million) event running until the end of October, the city aims to showcase how urban green space can improve people's lives and present a sustainable ecological city model, which the city sees as necessary in the face of climate crisis. The main venue of Suncheonman International Garden Expo, Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, April 23 / Courtesy of Suncheon CitySuncheon is a UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve featuring coastal ec

May 25, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
Suncheon turns into botanical oasis city through int'l garden expo

Saudi Arabia expects 53,000 Korean travelers this year

AlUla, an ancient Arabic oasis city located in Saudi Arabia's northwestern province of Medina / Courtesy of Saudi Tourism AuthorityBy Lee Hae-rinWhile seeking to establish itself as a global travel destination with a budget of $1 trillion for tourism in the next decade, Saudi Arabia plans to attract over 53,000 travelers from Korea this year, its travel authorities announced, Monday.The Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) held a roadshow in central Seoul, Monday, with 200 key Korean media and business partners from hotels, airlines and travel agencies. “We're expecting 53,000 (Korean travelers) this year and we plan to more than quadruple this by 2030,” the STA's APAC Markets President Alhasan Aldabbagh said. The figure is significantly higher than 2022's 11,000 and the pre-pandemic levels of 12,000 from 2019.Home to six UNESCO World Heritage sites and over 10,000 unearthed archaeological sites, the Kingdom has been outpacing G20 countries in tourism recovery with over 93.5 million visits and a total tourism spend of 185 billion Saudi riyals ($49.3 billion) in 2022, according t

May 22, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
Saudi Arabia expects 53,000 Korean travelers this year

Modern Uzbekistan flourishes with historic relics

The aquarium of Magic City in Tashkent, Uzbekistan / Korea Times photo by Ko Dong-hwanTashkent, Samarkand brings wonder to first-comers By Ko Dong-hwanTashkent TV Tower is the tallest manmade structure in Uzbekistan. Korea Times photo by Ko Dong-hwanTASHKENT, SAMARKAND, Uzbekistan ― Landing at Tashkent International Airport on a blindingly sunny afternoon, one can expect to feel the heat rising from baked asphalt under the strong sunlight and amid countless passing vehicles. Another local scene that somehow relieves the beholder of the grilling grey landscape is plush greenery from a surprisingly large number of trees alongside roads. The contrast evokes two distinctively different feelings first-comers to Uzbekistan will take away after visiting Tashkent and Samarkand, the country's two biggest cities that are over 300 kilometers apart.The two share a historical link: Samarkand was the capital of the Timurid Dynasty (1370 to 1857) that included the present Uzbekistan. Now, Tashkent, the most populous city in Central Asia, represents the country. With its historical significance, Sam

May 18, 2023By Ko Dong-hwan
Modern Uzbekistan flourishes with historic relics

INTERVIEW Hong Kong airport invites global travelers through 'World of Winners' campaign

Airport Authority Hong Kong's Chief Operating Officer Vivian Cheung poses during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Seoul, May 11. Courtesy of Hong Kong International AirportBy Lee Hae-rinAirport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), the operator of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), is aiming to attract global attention through its free air tickets giveaway campaign called “World of Winners.”The campaign aims to “let everyone know that Hong Kong is back to normal,” after the social upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vivian Cheung, chief operating officer of AAHK, said during a recent interview with The Korea Times.The free tickets were purchased in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.“At the time, airlines had hard times because there was no flight, no passengers moving around. So many countries started to put together some resources to help the aviation industry, same as in Hong Kong, hoping that when the pandemic is over, we can use the tickets to provide free trips for people to come to Hong Kong,” she said.Following the lau

May 17, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
[INTERVIEW] Hong Kong airport invites global travelers through 'World of Winners' campaign

Argentine winemakers explore Korea's premium market

Alberto Arizu, left, CEO of Bodega Luigi Bosca, and Marcelo Marasco, export manager Asia, Canada, Africa and Middle East at Catena Zapata, pose with their respective wines during the Argentine wine-tasting event hosted by the Embassy of Argentina in Korea at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, May 10. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-sukBy Kwon Mee-yooArgentina is one of the top winemaking countries in the world and is especially acclaimed for its Malbec wines. Known for their remarkable quality, Argentine wines are quickly becoming a favorite in Korea's burgeoning wine market.With a characteristic deep, dark and inky purple color, Malbec is a full-bodied wine with soft tannin. Malbec grapes thrive in Argentina's high-altitude vineyards, where hot days allow for full ripening and cool nights help preserve acidity and aromatic freshness, giving the wines a balance of ripe fruit flavors and bright, vibrant character.The deep color of Malbec is a result of its high-altitude growth conditions, its grape's skin darkens as a defense against high UV levels, protecting the seeds for future generations.Th

May 14, 2023By Kwon Mee-yoo
Argentine winemakers explore Korea's premium market

Hong Kong airport to give away 24,000 air tickets to Korean travelers

Vivian Cheung, fourth from right, the chief operating officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, poses with participants at a press conference in Seoul, Thursday, to announce Hong Kong's air ticket giveaway campaign. Courtesy of Hong Kong International AirportBy Lee Hae-rinHong Kong International Airport (HKIA) will give away over 24,000 sponsored economy-class round-trip tickets to travelers in Korea starting May 16, as part of a government campaign to boost tourism after the pandemic, the airport authority announced, Thursday.“Hong Kong has fully opened up to travel, and we at Hong Kong airport are excited to welcome visitors from around the world once again,” said Vivian Cheung, chief operating officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) during a press conference in Seoul, Thursday.The promotion is part of the Hong Kong government's Hello Hong Kong campaign and the AAHK's World of Winners global air ticket campaign, in which a total of 500,000 free tickets are being distributed around the world. The city aims to attract over 1.5 million inbound travelers after three

May 11, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
Hong Kong airport to give away 24,000 air tickets to Korean travelers

Delta Air Lines introduces new Korean menu items

Delta Air Lines' Director of Sales in Korea and Southeast Asia Kim Seong-su presents nine new in-flight menus for business class passengers traveling between Korea and the United States during the second quarter at an airline meals catering company in Incheon, April 27. Courtesy of Delta Air LinesBy Lee Hae-rinDelta Air Lines unveiled nine new in-flight menu items for business class passengers traveling between Korea and the United States during the second quarter.The menu items include beef tenderloin bibimbap, spicy shrimp and braised spicy chicken with vegetables, developed in collaboration with Korean chefs. The American airline expanded Korean food options back in 2007.“Korean in-flight meals are popular not only among Korean passengers but also among foreign travelers,” said Kim Seong-su, Delta Air Lines' director of sales in Korea and Southeast Asia, underlining the American carrier's intent to continue developing and serving Korean menu items above the clouds.The airline's Korean menu options aim to make Korean passengers feel at home during their flights, as well

May 11, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
Delta Air Lines introduces new Korean menu items

INTERVIEW Gyeonggi Tourism chief seeks to develop intercity network to bolster regional tourism

Region offers wide spectrum of tourist attractions By Lee Hae-rinGyeonggi Tourism Organization CEO Cho Won-yong / Courtesy of Gyeonggi Tourism OrganizationGyeonggi Province, in the vicinity of Seoul, is a popular one-day suburban getaway destination for Koreans thanks to its large number of attractions, but it is still off the beaten track for many foreigners. In that respect, Cho Won-yong, CEO of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (GTO), aims to introduce the lesser-known travel gems of the province to foreign travelers by enhancing interregional networks.“Gyeonggi Province is huge and offers so many must-see attractions of all colors,” Cho said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at his office in Suwon.Housing 31 cities and counties and a population nearing 14 million, Gyeonggi Province is a mega municipality housing almost a quarter of South Korea's population. Since taking office last December, Cho has crisscrossed the province learning about its wide spectrum of lesser-known tourism assets and their particular themes.For example, the northwestern side of th

May 11, 2023By Lee Hae-rin
[INTERVIEW] Gyeonggi Tourism chief seeks to develop intercity network to bolster regional tourism

Foreign tourists surprised by soaring food prices in Korea

Foreign tourists visit the popular shopping district of Myeong-dong in central Seoul on March 22. Korea Times fileBy Kim Jae-heunToey Suwat, a 45-year-old tourist from Thailand was surprised to find out how expensive dining out in Korea has become since her last visit three years ago.“I visited Korea before COVID-19 and so many restaurants here have increased food prices in three years. I remember fried chicken normally cost around 15,000 won back then and now it costs well over 20,000 won. I feel more reluctant to spend now,” Suwat said. A 34-year-old Taiwanese tourist called, En En Vorachit also echoed the same sentiments, saying that he cannot visit Korea without having to worry about money anymore.“Last time I came to Korea, a bottle of soju cost 3,000 won at restaurants. Now, it cost 5,000 won or more. Other food prices have increased so much too. I don't think I can visit Korea as many times as I would like to in the future,” Vorachit said. Menu shows burger prices attached to Burger King's restaurant in Seoul, March 8. YonhapAccording to the Korea Consu

May 4, 2023By Kim Jae-heun
Foreign tourists surprised by soaring food prices in Korea
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