SEOUL, 8 January 2018: The number of incentive travel tourists who visited Korea in 2017, excluding visitors from China, reached 183,307, reflecting a 25% increase over the previous year.
According to Korea Tourism Organization CEO, Changsu Jung, Korea’s incentive travellers from Southeast Asia increased dramatically.
This was illustrated by visits from Vietnam registered at 56,246 up 90.5%, Philippines 4,855, up 128.7% and Malaysia 16,681 up 27.3%.
These increase in incentive tourism were attributed to economic growth in emerging markets in Southeast Asia. In addition the Korea Tourism Organisation diversified its marketing campaign.
KTO meetings & incentives team director, Chulbeum Park said: “We have taken several steps to seek new markets and increase tourist arrivals to Korea. Our major move was to expand the existing support system to attract more incentive groups to Korea last year.”
In 2017, KTO has successfully launched its new corporate meetings and incentive support programme and initiated several road shows overseas together with other Korean tourism providers and convention bureaus to present the financial incentives offered to potential partners.
This year, the Korea Tourism Organisation will continue and add more road shows and other promotional activities while maintaining its incentives for incentive organisers.
