Seoul supports startups in tourism

Kim Eui-seung, front row left, director general of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s tourism and sports bureau, holds a selfie stick to take a photo with representatives of 13 startups providing app-based tourism services, at City Hall, central Seoul, Tuesday. / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

By Kim Se-jeong

In April, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) selected 13 local startup businesses that will provide smartphone app-based tourism services to foreign tourists in an effort to attract more tourists and to support local tourism businesses.

It offered the winners cash prizes and helped them with advertising in and outside Korea.

With the help, some companies saw their business thrive rapidly, and on Tuesday, the city invited representatives from all 13 companies to share their experiences.

Buxi, a low-cost airport van sharing service provider, is one of the most successful of the new companies. Started in April this year, the company connects people with van rental companies. A van picks up customers from the airport and carries them to local destinations and vice versa any time of the day.

It collects people whose destinations are close to each other. The service costs nearly $100, but since up to six people can share the vehicle, each of them pays significantly less.

“It’s particularly popular among those who try to take early-morning flights,” Lee Tae-hee, co-president of the company, said.

Buxi received 30 million won in cash from the city. Also the SMG advertised Buxi’s services in China. With the help, Buxi has managed to draw more than 40,000 passengers so far. “One traveler from Hong Kong has used our service 10 times already,” Lee said.

Discover Seoul Pass, developed by Travolution, is another successful service. The daily pass gives a traveler access to 16 tourist destinations in the capital costing only 39,900 won. Destinations include major museums, palaces and others. Its smartphone app helps customers find information about each of the destinations, and travelers can also ride the subway with the pass. Discovery Seoul Pass is sold at tourism information centers across the city.

Zipbob facilitates offline group meetings involving food and drinks and is growing fast. The app shows a list of meetings, categorized by topics and locations, giving tourists an opportunity to mingle with locals over food.

Other awarded services include Seoul Happening Pass, a pass for festival admission in the city; SeoulMarble for mission-based tour packages; and Seoul K-Beauty, which provides information on beauty-related tour items.

The companies are satisfied with the city’s support. “It has helped my business a lot. I could hire one full-time engineer,” Lee from Buxi said.

The city government plans to continue to support companies with good tourism business ideas. “We were hesitant when we organized the contest. But, it turned out to be one of the best endeavors we have done this year,” said Kim Eui-seung, director general of the SMG’s tourism and sports bureau.

The number of tourists to Korea is rising. According to statistics, more than 16 million have visited Korea so far this year, more than the total number of visitors last year. Almost all travelers visit Seoul during their stay here.