By Lee Hyo-sik
Korea will kick off its largest shopping festival ever for foreign visitors on Jan. 10, which will last for 50 days through Feb. 28, in a bid to turn itself into Asia’s shopping hub and achieve a goal of attracting over 10 million tourists from around the world in 2011.
Under the slogan titled “Korea Grand Sale 2011,” organized by the Visit Korea Committee, more than 13,000 department stores, shopping malls, hotels, restaurants, duty free shops, theme parks and other hospitality-related establishments will participate in the nationwide campaign.
They include the four major department stores here — Lotte, Shinsegae, Hyundai and Galleria — and the duty free shops Donghwa, Walkerhill, Shilla, Paradise and Lotte.
Foreign tourists visiting Korea during the 50-day-long period can obtain a wide range of discount coupons and membership cards, which can be used at retailers, restaurants and other businesses here, at overseas branches of the Korea Tourism Organization, cultural centers, travel agencies and from airline firms.
Coupons will also be available at Incheon International Airport and other airports here, as well as at major tourism sites, retailers and promotional street vendors.
“We will do our best to offer best-quality services and a plenty of benefits to those who visit Korea during the campaign. I think it will be a great opportunity for us to improve Korea’s image among foreigners and transform the country into one of the most popular shopping-oriented tourism destinations,” said Robert Ro, the secretary general of the Visit Korea Committee.
Among a range of planned sales and promotional activities, the committee will hold a special sales event at Incheon International Airport on Jan. 10.
Foreign tourists will be given instant lottery tickets for complimentary hotel vouchers, and free concert tickets and souvenirs. The event will last through Jan. 16.
On Jan. 14, an opening ceremony of Korea Grand Sale 2011 will be held in Myeong-dong, Korea’s most popular shopping district for foreigners.
The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m. and showcase an array of performances to entertain foreign shoppers.
Additionally, a series of street events will be organized every weekend in Myeong-dong, Yongsan, Insa-dong and other favorite vacation spots among foreigners to make their experience here memorable and fun.
For instance, they can take photos with a mascot of the “2010-2012 Visit Korea Year” campaign, take part in various traditional games, and sample Korea’s traditional tea and snacks.
For more information on Korea Grand Sale 2011, visit the committee’s website at www.visitkoreayear.com.