Latest news with #KTO
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Pokemon GO to South Korea's Jeju Island this fall for first-ever Pokemon-themed attractions
The Jeju Island event is set to run from Oct 2 to Oct 26, 2025. Pokemon fans have a new destination to head to if they want more experiences with the iconic fictional creatures: South Korea's Jeju Island. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) , Pokemon Korea Inc. and Jeju Tourism Organisation have signed a strategic partnership to launch the '2025 Pokemon Jeju Project: Pokemon Wonder Island in Jeju'. Set to run from Oct 2 to Oct 26, 2025 , the Pokemon-themed event will take place across Yeomiji Botanical Garden and the Jungmun Tourism Complex, to revitalise tourism on the island, organisers said on July 17 . The Japanese media franchise consists of video games, animated series, movies and a trading card game. Key programmes for the Jeju initiative include a Pokemon-themed photo zone at Jeju International Airport, a Pokemon GO stamp rally across designated PokeStops in Jungmun, a pop-up store and mission tour at Yeomiji Botanical Garden, and the highly anticipated 'Pokemon Run' – a family-friendly running event held for the first time in South Korea. The Pokemon GO stamp rally introduces a new in-game feature, allowing visitors to collect digital stamps at specific real-world locations. The Jeju rally marks the first time this feature will be available in South Korea, offering players the chance to win prizes while exploring the island. The Pokemon Run will guide participants along the cart paths of the Jungmun golf course, providing scenic views of Jeju's mountains and ocean. Organisers describe it as a 'new Pokemon experience for the whole family'. 'This project comes at a critical time for Jeju tourism, which has suffered a three-year decline in domestic visitors. We hope this initiative not only re-energises the local tourism sector but also introduces the global audience to a new side of the Jungmun Tourism Complex,' said a representative from KTO. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Business Wire
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Korea Tourism Organization Hosts Offline Event for Odii Audio Guide for Global Tourists
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is launching a special offline experience event in July for its immersive audio guide service Odii, designed to help international travelers discover the hidden stories and culture of Korea in an engaging and entertaining way. The event will take place at the HiKR Station located in Incheon International Airport and the HiKR Ground inside the KTO building in central Seoul. 'Odii is more than just an audio guide—it's a friendly companion that walks alongside travelers through Korea. We hope that more international visitors will enjoy a deeper and more meaningful experience through this program.' Share More than just an information service, Odii is introduced under the concept of 'K-Travel Buddy: Odii', offering a companion-like experience for travelers who wish to explore Korea as if journeying with a local friend. Through the Odii app, participants can listen to curated stories from across Korea and take part in interactive traditional Korean games, while also receiving special giveaways. The event will run at the HiKR Station (B1, Terminal 1, Incheon International Airport) from July 7 to 21, and at the HiKR Ground (4F & 5F, KTO Headquarters, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Seoul) from July 11 to 25, operating daily from 10 AM to 7 PM. Visitors should note that the 4th floor of Hiker Ground is closed on Mondays. Visitors can download the Odii app onsite and enjoy the 'Listening Zone,' which features audio stories from various Korean regions. At the HiKR Ground in Seoul, visitors can also participate in a 'Game Zone,' where they can play traditional Korean games—including those seen in Squid Game—in a fun and interactive setting. Participants who complete the program will receive exclusive Odii-themed souvenirs, including character items featuring 'Oding-i,' Odii's mascot. Those who visit both HiKR Station and HiKR Ground will receive a special bonus gift. KTO stated, 'Odii is more than just an audio guide—it's a friendly companion that walks alongside travelers through Korea. We hope that more international visitors will enjoy a deeper and more meaningful experience through this program.' For more details about the event and Odii content, visit VISITKOREA 's official Facebook and social media channels, available in English, Japanese, and Chinese.
GMA Network
27-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Korea aims to boost MICE tourism ahead of 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju
The Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) finished the Korea Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Roadshow in Manila and Cebu on Thursday. The event, held at Fairmont Makati in Manila on Tuesday and Radisson Blu in Cebu on Thursday, aimed at promoting their MICE offers and regional tourism in time for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit to be held at Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. With the participation of 250 key travel industry players in Manila and 150 in Cebu, the program featured a Travel Mart for collaboration between Korean and Philippine tourism professionals, and a Korean MICE night, which will showcase Korean culture and MICE industry. During the event, KTO also launched their Gyeongbuk Plus Special Assistance Program, which offers up to KRW140,000 or around P5,800 per person for approved groups with bonus benefits. Included in their enhanced MICE initiatives were customized assistance and support for qualified corporate and incentive groups with a minimum of 10 foreign nationals staying in Seoul for at least 2 nights. 'The Korea MICE Roadshow Philippines 2025 aims to promote Korea as a premier MICE destination… This will even focus on the corporate meetings and incentive tour segments within the MICE industry. Ultimately, our goal is to attract more MICE travelers from the Philippines to Korea,' said Korea MICE Bureau Executive Director Chang Wook Jung in a media interview. 'Manila and Cebu are two of the most important MICE markets in the Philippines. By holding the roadshow in both cities, we ensure wide industry engagement and better access to stakeholders who are driving outbound MICE travel in the country,' he added. Korea remains a premium tourist and business destination worldwide, having hosted 243 international conferences and handling at least 10,000 MICE travelers from the Philippines in 2024. The KTO highlights Korea's convenient, safe, and seamless travel experience through their infrastructure, smart technology, and domestic transport network as key advantages of their tourism. They also placed importance on the viral K-Culture as one of their strongest global assets at the center of their MICE strategy. 'We integrate K-Pop concerts, Korean cuisine, fashion, beauty, and cultural workshops into business events to offer immersive, unforgettable experiences. MICE travelers today want more than meetings—they want cultural enrichment and inspiration, and Korea delivers that through K-Culture,' added Chang. Tourism efforts The Philippine Travel Agencies Association welcomed Korea's move, stating that agreements between the KTO and PTAA to further boost MICE tourism efforts between the two countries will promote new opportunities. 'The signing of the memorandum between the Korean Tourism Organization and the Philippine Travel Agencies Association is more than just a formal agreement. It is a celebration of shared vision, mutual respect, and a strong partnership rooted in our passion for tourism and cultural exchange," said PTAA Vice President Dominic Castillejos. "These collaborations aim to open exciting opportunities, particularly in promoting Korea as a premier destination for MICE destination for the Filipino market. We are confident that through this partnership, we will create new strategies, inspire greater interest in Korea, and bring forth meaningful programs that will benefit both countries and industries,' he added. Korean tourists, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), were the Philippines' biggest source of arrivals with 1,761,281 South Koreans visiting the country in 2024. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/BAP, GMA Integrated News
The Star
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Best of South Korea at PJ mall
The event highlighting South Korea in Petaling Jaya includes the sampling of authentic Korean flavours. Experience the beauty of South Korea and gain insight into the country's many regions at a mall in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, this weekend. Organised by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), 'Feel Korea in a Heartbeat' at 1 Utama Shopping Centre brings together the best of travel, food, culture, beauty and entertainment. 'It's a celebration of the diversity and depth of Korean culture. 'Through this event, we aim to bring Korea closer to the hearts of Malaysians and inspire their next journey to our beautiful country,' said KTO Malaysia office managing director Moon Sangho. Visitors can plan their trip and get information on lesser known areas at the event's travel zone and take a closer look at hanbok traditional clothing. While there, get up to speed on K-beauty trends through product demonstrations and expert advice, or immerse yourself in Korean flavours with food samplings at the K-Food Zone. There will also be special performances including by The Painters and 1MILLION crew from the Street Woman Fighter dance franchise, and a K-Pop dance competition.
Barnama
13-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
'Feel Korea In A Heartbeat' Showcases the Best of Korean Tourism, Trends
KUALA LUMPUR, June 12 (Bernama) -- The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) is organising a four-day 'Feel Korea in a Heartbeat' festival, showcasing South Korea as a travel destination and highlighting its rich and diverse culture to the Malaysian public. Happening now until June 15 at the LG Oval Concourse, One Utama Shopping Centre, visitors can explore and experience for themselves the best of South Korea's travel, food, culture, beauty and entertainment, all in one venue. Speaking at the launch on Thursday, KTO Malaysia's managing director Moon Sangho said he hoped the event will bring Korea closer to the hearts of Malaysians and inspire their next journey to Korea. bootstrap slideshow 'Whether you're planning your first trip to Korea or a repeat traveller eager to explore new regions, this event promises exciting experiences, exclusive insights and the best travel deals to Korea,' he said. South Korean Minister and Consul General in Malaysia, Lee Han Il in his speech, meanwhile said that with South Korea's new government inaugurated this June, bilateral relations were entering a new chapter with renewed emphasis on cultural and tourism links. 'Tourism is the most powerful means of connecting people and expanding mutual respect and understanding," he said. A bilateral tourism cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in January has already led to several measures, including the use of QR payments via Touch 'n Go and BC Card, as well as options for advance airport express ticket purchases, Lee noteed adding visitor arrivals between both countries reached 770,000 last year, and are expected to return to the pre-COVID level of 1.08 million. Highlights of the event include K-Travel Zone where visitors can explore exclusive travel deals, discover lesser-known Korean destinations beyond Busan, Jeju, and Gangwon, and get insights from top travel agencies and regional tourism partners. They can indulge and learn more about Korean beauty products at the K-Beauty Showcase or savour a variety of flavourful Korean food at the K-Food Zone.
