Korea to Showcase Premium Business Events Experiences to Australian Market

Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) will be hosting a MICE Luncheon on July 24 (Wed) at The Establishment Room in Sydney in order to attract incentive travel and corporate meeting groups in Australia and New Zealand.

Great shopping and festival events at the 'Korea Sale FESTA' from 28 September

One of Korea's leading festivals 'Korea Sale FESTA' is on again from the end of this month, 28th September until the 31st October, 2017. The global shopping and tourism festival features big shopping discounts as well as Korean Wave cultural events to be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Super special discounts will be offered by more than twenty companies including department stores, online shopping malls and traditional markets around the country. More than 500 traditional markets throughout Korea will participate in this event.

There will also be online overseas sales targeting overseas shoppers as local Korean online stores will hold promotions and sales events on overseas online platforms.

There will be street shopping festival events in the major shopping areas of Myeongdong and Dongdaemun providing entertainment and fun as you shop.

For the whole period there will be numerous cultural events and local festivals taking place around the country.

Celebrate with Koreans one of the major holidays of the year Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) from 3-6 October or the Seoul International Fireworks Festival to be held in Seoul on 30 September.

A virtual reality experience centre will be installed in the ' Korea Sale FESTA' Promotion Hall which will be set up in Gwanghwamun Square to increase the opportunity for the general public to experience and enjoy.

The world's first virtual reality shopping mall will be opened in Korea in late September where customers will be able to experience shopping in virtual reality without visiting a department store.

There are discounts available on airline, hotel accommodation, transportation and theatre performances. To access discounts and learn more about the coming 'Korea Sale FESTA' visit the website specially set up for the event: https://www.koreasalefesta.kr/en/

Website: www.visitkorea.org.au

Like on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SeeKorea

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ktosydney

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2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games Promotion at Snow Travel Expos Sydney & Melbourne

Korea Tourism Organization will participate in the Snow Travel Expos in Sydney on Sunday, 21 May and Melbourne on the following Sunday, 28 May, 2017 with the main aim being the promotion of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games being held in Korea from 9-25 February, 2018.

Five major ski resorts from Korea will join the Snow Travel Expo in Sydney on Sunday, 21st May, 2017 at the new International Convention Centre, (ICC) Darling Harbour for the first time. They are ski resorts - Alpensia, Daemyung, High 1, Phoenix Park and Yongpyong.

Alpensia, Phoenix Park and Yongpyong are all directly involved as venues for the upcoming Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games so will be able to answer any direct questions from the public regarding their resorts.

Korean Air, the official partner airline for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games will also be on the Korea stand at the Sydney Snow Travel Expo on 21 May.

The Korea stand will also host CoSport, the authorised ticket reseller for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in Australia. Tickets and packages are already on sale online at www.cosport.com.au and are selling well.

A highlight of the Korea stand will be a virtual reality ski jump experience being brought to Australia from Korea for the Sydney Snow Travel Expo only. Visitors to the Expo can enjoy a virtual ski jump experience as if they are competing in the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Brochures and materials relating to the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games will be distributed freely as well as small giveaways. Korea Tourism Organization will provide advice and assistance to visitors at both the Sydney and Melbourne Snow Travel Expos in regard to travelling to the Games as well as general travel information on what to do and see in Korea.

Interested parties can see more about the Snow Travel Expos in Sydney and Melbourne on the Snow Travel Expo's website: snowtravelexpo.com.au

Come along and experience the fun and enjoyment of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at the Korea stand at the Snow Travel Expo. Have your photo taken with Soohorang (the White Tiger) and Bandabi (the Moon Bear) who are the official mascots for the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics.

Official Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympic & Paralympic Games website: www.pyeongchang2018.com

Information on Tickets & Tour Packages visit CoSport website: www.cosport.com.au

Website:  www.visitkorea.org.auLike on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SeeKoreaTwitter:  https://twitter.com/ktosydney

 

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Win a Six Day Trip to Korea with Samsung NX Traveller

Korea Tourism Organization is a supporting partner of the 'Win a six day trip to Korea', an exciting photographic journey through the country being sponsored by Samsung NX Traveller. Stand a chance to win a trip to Korea with professional photographers and amateur photography enthusiasts to enjoy photography in many scenic locations in Korea.

On this trip which takes place from 13-18th April, 2015, you will not only get to experience the height of the cherry blossom season in Korea but also have a chance to discover the many hidden gems along the way.

The competition is organised for amateur photographers as well as professionals. Amateur photographers must register online and explain why they would like to have the opportunity to join the trip.

Professional photographers are offered the chance to trial the latest Samsung NX camera and must submit a portfolio of their photographs online to be considered.

Selected participants will receive a six day all expenses paid trip to Korea.

The deadline for Australian entrants in the competition is the 15th March, 2015.Join us on a 6-day all expense paid trip to Korea. (13 – 18 April 2015).

Full terms and conditions are available on the website: https://www.smartphotography.asia/nxtraveller

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Korea's Feast of Festivals in 2015

Whilst travelling in Korea the best way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of the country is to take part in one of the many opportunities to join one of Korea's many festival events. The Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism in Korea recently selected forty-four outstanding as well as up and coming festivals not to be missed in Korea in 2015.

Buddha's Birthday Temple Lanterns

Whether your interest lies in food or culture there is always a festival happening at sometime throughout the year. The peak periods for festivals are during Spring (March-May) and again in Autumn (September-November).

The Gimje Horizon Festival and Hwacheon Sancheoneo Festival, both of which highlight the value of agriculture and Korea's natural environment were selected as the two Premier Festivals. Sancheoneo Ice Festival draws over a million visitors every year to enjoy ice fishing, ice sledding and ice football.

Top Festivals include the Jindo Sea Miracle Festival, Icheon Rice Cultural Festival, Jaraseom Jazz Festival, Ganggyeong Fermented Seafood Festival, Muju Firefly Festival, Gangjin Celadon Festival, Mungyeong Traditional Chatsabal Festival and Sancheong Medicinal Herb Festival.

Some of the outstanding festivals include the Damyang Bamboo Festival, Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival, Sunchang Fermented Soybean Festival, Hyeosok Cultural Festival and the Jeju Fire Festival.

The list also includes up and coming festival events like the Incheon Pentaport Rock Music Festival, Boseong Green Tea Festival, Chungju World Martial Arts Festival, Hanseong Baekje Cultural Festival and Pohang International Fireworks Festival.

Dates for all the festivals are listed on the www.visitkorea.or.kr website, click here for full details of each and every festival:http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_6.jsp?gotoPage=1&cid=970302&out_service

At the same time Korea Tourism have also released a new travel guide for independent travellers to create their own itinerary and make travelling throughout the country easy. The new guide focuses on all the highlight destinations to visit in Korea such as UNESCO World Heritage sites and other unique experiences to enjoy.

The theme cafes in Seoul like the Cat Cafe and the Hanbok Cafe where you can enjoy a coffee and try on traditional Korean dress at the same time makes for a unique photo opportunity for your next Facebook/Instagram post. It also covers many of the restaurants specialising in royal cuisine, festival foods and Buddhist cuisine as well as Korea's well known street food delights.

If you are planning a visit to Korea this year get your free Korea Travel Guide for independent travellers today, order by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au or Ph: 02)9252-4147/8

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Tune into 'The Gurus Explore' Korea to be Broadcast on Channel 9 on Saturday 17 January 2015

Tune into 'The Gurus Explore' series on Channel Nine this Saturday, 17 January at 4pm as they explore South Korea. Join presenters Trevor Cochrane and Andrew Syrus as they take you on their adventure through the country. Share their exciting experiences as they travel around the country enjoying the beautiful Korean scenery, culture, food and unique experiences.

Sunrise Peak on Jeju Island
Copyright: Korea Tourism Organization

In this series of 'The Gurus Explore' join Trevor and Andrew as they travel from the buzz and bright lights of Seoul to the beautiful semi-tropical island of Jeju off the south coast of Korea to the cool green of nature in Jirisan National Park and their traditional experience in the 400 year old hanok (house) village in Jeonju.

The number of Australians travelling to Korea has been on the rise during 2014 with growing interest in the country due to Korean food, music, film and the great range of adventures and activities that can be enjoyed. From January to October, 2014 115,899 Australians have visited the country, an increase of 10.8% over the same period the previous year. Many more young Australians are visiting South Korea and word is spreading fast through social media that Korea has much to offer young travellers to the country.

For more information on any of the spots featured in 'The Guru's Explore Korea' special please visit the local Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office website:www.visitkorea.org.au

To receive a free information kit including a guidebook to the country and map please email: visitkorea@knto.org.au to request the kit to be mailed out.

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Ibis Budget Hotel Debuts in Seoul South Korea

Located in Seoul's Dongdaemun District, ibis budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun opens its doors as the country's first ibis budget hotel and the only internationally branded hotel in the area.



Seoul, November 12th, 2014 –Accor, the largest international hotel operator in Asia Pacific and South Korea, announces the opening of ibis budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun, the first ibis budget brand hotel in South Korea. This newly-built hotel has 195 guestrooms and is strategically located north of Seoul's Han River in a commercial district renowned for its traditional markets and shopping centres.

Mr Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer for Accor Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines said, “With the successful opening of our ibis hotels in Seoul and Busan, we are proud and excited to introduce the first ibis budget hotel in South Korea. Ibis budget is one of Accor's leading economy brands where at a value for money room rate, guests will find cosy beds, spacious showers, soft duvets, and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet.

“We saw an increasing demand in Seoul for international-standard accommodations coupled with affordable pricing, we therefore believe this hotel will become a favourite amongst domestic and international travellers visiting this vibrant city.”

The rooms are designed with soothing lightings, wood details and soft colour tones. The rooms are designed with efficiency and comfort in mind, and come with twin, double and triple sized beds. All rooms are equipped with a flat screen TV with multi-media hub, individual reading lights, Wi-Fi internet connection, working table, safety box, mini-refrigerator, tea-coffee making facilities, and a sizable en-suite bathroom with shower.

The hotel's General Manager, Mr Tchang Lee, said, “Ibis budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun integrates the core values of the ibis family brands – 'simplicity, modernity and well-being' and promises guests a quality accommodation at an affordable price, with the highlight being the signature beddings - Sweet Beds by ibis budget - for a good night's sleep.”

The hotel features a restaurant that offers a healthy “all-you-can-eat” breakfast buffet from 6:30am to 10am, a snack area to enjoy your snacks and soft drinks around the clock, sauna room and gym, a laundry room, indoor car park, and a 24-hour business corner with free internet access and printing services.

Ibis budget Ambassador Seoul Dongdaemun is located in the heart of the city and a 10-minute drive to Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Myeong-dong District, Chunggyechen Stream and major shopping malls. The hotel is a stone's throw away from the subway lines 2, 4, and 5, which links to the rest of Seoul.

For more information or to book a room, please visit www.accorhotels.com/9114 or email H9114-RE@accor.com.

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Dami Im's Top Five Places to Visit in Korea - Win a Trip to Korea

Korea Tourism Organization Sydney is launching a competition giving contestants a chance to visit some of Dami Im's favourite places in Korea. Dami Im, the hugely popular winner of The X Factor 2013 series became Hon. Tourism Ambassador for Korea in Australia on 20 August, 2014. The online competition will run from 1-30 November, 2014.

To win the trip for two persons to Korea including return economy airfares from Sydney to Seoul on either Korean Air or Asiana Airlines and six nights accommodation together with two seven day Korea Railpasses contestants just need to state in 25 words or less what their favourite places in Korea are and why they would like to win the 7day/6night Korean adventure.

Mr. Sangweon Je, Director of Australia/New Zealand said on Dami's appointment in Sydney recently "Dami's background as a Korean Australian and her great love of her birth country, as well as her huge fan base and connection to many Australians through her music makes her the perfect tourism ambassador for Korea in Australia."

Dami Im's top five places to visit in Korea include Jeonju Hanok Village, Haeundae Beach in Busan, Samcheongdong in Seoul, the DMZ area on the border between South & North Korea and the spectacular Seoraksan National Park on the east coast of Korea.

The winner of the competition can choose their own 7day/6night itinerary of Korea to enjoy the places they most want to visit. The prize winner must book all airfares and accommodation with the Sydney office of Korea Tourism Organization no later than 20 December, 2014.

The competition will be promoted on Yahoo7 Travel online and through Time Out.

To enter the competition go to the homepage of Korea Tourism Organization and competition landing page where you can see the full terms and conditions of entry.

See competition entry page: http://visitkorea.org.au/

Following Dami Im's huge success in winning The X Factor 2013 series and her recent success with hits Super Love and Gladiator Dami Im has just released her latest album 'Heart Beats' on 17 October, 2014.

See here for where to purchase Dami's latest album 'Heart Beats'

iTunes: http://smarturl.it/HeartBeats

JBHiFi: http://smarturl.it/HeartBeatsJBHiFi

Sanity: http://smarturl.it/HeartBeatsSanity

Website: www.visitkorea.org.au
Like us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SeeKorea
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ktosydney
 

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Ski Korea This Winter

Planning to Ski Korea This Winter, Get Your Free Discount Coupon Booklet and Save!

For Australian skiers who are perhaps thinking right now of where to ski during the northern hemisphere winter, then Gangwon province in Korea is a good choice with Pyeongchang playing host to the upcoming 2018 Winter Olympics.

Fun in the Snow Korea
Copyright: Korea Tourism Organization

Not only is it a great place to ski but Gangwon Province have published a free coupon book offering visitors big discounts on accommodation, restaurants and places to visit in the region. The discount coupons in the free booklet are valid until 31 March, 2015.

Yongpyong (Dragon Valley) Resort is already very popular with Australian skiers and the nearby Alpensia Resort are the two main resorts which will be the centre of the main competition venues at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Phoenix Park Resort which is further down the mountains near Wonju is also a great place to ski, especially for families. Phoenix Park as well as many of the ski resorts in Korea offer skiing at all hours of the day and night, so skiers can enjoy a wide variety of activities and ski all hours.

Skimax Holidays in Australia have very good packages to Yongpyong Ski Resort with seven night's accommodation and a six day ski pass for less than $1,000 ($989 per person for quad share) up to $1,319 for a deluxe room at Dragon Valley Hotel (per person twin share). Both rates do not include airfare to/from Korea.

For more information on Skimax Holidays great ski packages to Korea please visit their webpage: http://www.skimax.com.au/southkorea/ski-yongpyong.htm

To get your free copy of the Gangwon Province special discount coupon booklet request free of charge from Korea Tourism Organization by email: visitkorea@knto.org.au  

Hi Seoul Festival in Korea from 1 October 2014

The Hi Seoul Festival is one of the largest performing arts festivals in the world with an average of 1.5million people participating in the event annually. Running for five days starting on 1st October, 2014 it provides an incredible array of performances and entertainment on the streets of Seoul.

Meeting the locals in Korea

The festival's slogan this year is 'Let's Play in the Streets' where a wide variety of free performing art shows and events will take place in the streets by nine performance groups with six international countries involved as well as forty-three Korean groups.

The Korean groups will showcase their talents on opening night through a variety of performances about Seoul and its identity. Opening night will also have a fireworks parade, plays, acrobatics, street performances, concerts, installation art and much more for everyone to enjoy.

On the closing day on the 5th October the streets around Gwanghwamun Square will become a car-free zone and visitors can enjoy various street shows and performances spread across the area.

For visitors to Seoul at this time it's a great way to take in the culture and join the people of Seoul having fun on the streets of their city. October is also one of the best months of the year in Korea due to the spectacular Autumn colours and mild weather at this time.

For more on the Hi Seoul Festival and what's happening when you are travelling to Seoul as well as special offers of up to 30% off musicals and shows in Seoul city are also on offer on this website.

Visit the website for further information when you are travelling to Seoul: www.visitseoul.net

Walk the Ancient City Walls of Seoul and Embrace Its 600 Year History

In recent years Seoul has been focused on the total restoration of the Seoul City Wall that surrounds the historic heart of the city. Korean history is engraved in the walls of Seoul city and nowadays tourists to Seoul can enjoy many scenic places to walk along its 18 kilometre length. It's a great way to escape the city streets and enjoy some fresh air in the mountains that surround Seoul.

Namsan Seonggwakgil Fortress Trail
Copyright: Korea Tourism Organization

A new publication titled 'Seoul City Wall' provides an excellent tour guide to various sections of the famous city wall. As of 2014, some 70 percent (12.8km) of the entire Seoul City wall has been preserved or restored and it's easy to take the subway to various points along the wall to start the various walks.

The wall which follows the ridges of Mt. Baegak, Mt. Naksan, Mt. Namsan and Mt. Inwang the four main mountains surrounding the centre of Seoul has been rebuilt several times since its initial construction in 1396. The wall measures between 5-8 metres in height and is over 18metres long. It served as a city wall for the longest time among the existing walls of the world.

Seoul City Wall was registered on UNESCO's World Heritage tentative list on 23 November, 2012. Efforts are being made to have the Seoul City Wall listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site which is seen as an expression of the Korean people's desire to preserve the natural and historical landscape of Seoul to be passed to future generations.

Korea presently has ten cultural heritage sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list as well as one UNESCO natural world heritage site on Jeju Island. Visiting some of these sites on a tour of Korea is like walking through Korea's history. Sites like Gyeongju in the south east corner of Korea have stunning UNESCO World Heritage sites - the spectacular Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto Buddha as well as its royal burial tombs.

To see more of the Seoul City Wall highlights and to prepare to walk a section of the wall go to seoulcitywall.go.kr or request a free Seoul City Wall guidebook from Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au

Gwangju Biennale: Burning Down the House 2014 Runs in Gwangju, Korea 5 Sept - 9 Nov. 2014

#GwangjuBiennale



Marking its tenth year in 2014 the Gwangju Biennale 2014 kicks off in Gwangju, Korea on 5th September and runs through to 9th November, 2014.

The 10th Gwangju Biennale will bring together 105 artists from more than 39 countries and will include 35 new commissions each selected for their relevance to the theme of the Biennale, 'Burning Down the House'. The five Halls of the Biennale will be treated as related but thematically differentiated exhibitions, each exploring a different aspect of the title of the Biennale.

The 10th Gwangju Biennale 'Burning Down the House' explores the process of burning and transformation, a cycle of obliteration and renewal witnessed throughout history. Evident in aesthetics, historical events and an increasingly rapid course of redundancy and renewal in commercial culture, the Biennale reflects on this process of, often violent events of destruction or self-destruction - burning the home one occupies- followed by the promise of the new and hope for change.

The exhibition is curated by Jessica Morgan, Artistic Director of the Gwangju Biennale and the Daskalopoulos Curator, International Art, Tate Modern in London.

Famous Australian sculptor Ken Unsworth is the only Australian to feature his artwork at the Gwangju Biennale this year. Unsworth, who made the spectacular artwork 'Suspended Stone Circle II' displayed at the Art Gallery of New South Wales last year is one of Australia's most prominent sculptors. His work 'Suspended Stone Circle II' was made of river stones which were hung in a grouping that hover just above the floor.

Internationally famous French electronic musician Joakim joins the international list of artists participating in the Biennale. He will contribute three cover versions of the Talking Heads song 'Burning Down the House' which served as inspiration for this year's Biennale.

Joakim's covers will be introduced at three main focal points of this year's milestone 10th edition. Visitors will hear the songs at the entrance and exit of the hosting Biennale Hall and on the third floor bridge that connects Galleries 2 and 3.

The Gwangju Biennale is open daily from 5th September to 9th November from 9-5.30pm. Adult single day admission to the Biennale is 14,000 Korean won (approx. A$14).

Adult exhibition pass costs 30,000 Korean won (approx A$30). Children & Seniors (over 65) day ticket costs 4,000 Korean won (approx A$4).

Full details about the Gwangju Biennale 2014 and information on all the artists exhibiting at the Gwangju Biennale 2014 can be seen at the official website: http://www.gwangjubiennale.org/eng/gb/

For Australians interested in art and travel there is no better chance to visit Korea and explore the Gwangju Biennale 2014. During the same period one of Korea's largest festivals is held in Gwangju city as well - the Gwangju Kimchi Festival celebrates the iconic Korean fermented cabbage dish that is served at every meal in Korea. It will run this year in Gwangju city from the 4th to 8th October.

For more information on the Gwangju Kimchi Festival visit the website: http://kimchi.gwangju.go.kr/EN

New Shopping Guide Released for Visitors to Korea

 

A new Korea Shopping Guide has been released to assist visitors to the country who come for the excellent shopping. The guide covers the major shopping areas around the country from the capital of Seoul to Busan and Jeju Island as well as the main international arrivals airport of Incheon.

Also, a new shopping and tourism brand named '1st' offers shoppers guaranteed quality, prices and service.  The designated '1st' shops have gone through rigorous evaluations of quality, pricing and services by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) to become nationally certified 'excellent shops'.

The Korea Shopping guide will help shoppers plan where it is best to go shopping in Korea and also advises not only on Korea '1st premium shops but also lists popular markets, shopping malls, fashion outlets and special shopping areas where you can find traditional souvenirs for your friends back home.

Seoul, the capital is the number one place for most shoppers to the country with its never ending array of shopping opportunities and a city where you can shop all day and all night.  Doota Department store in Dongdaemun area is open till 5.30am in the morning.

The most popular shopping items for tourists are clothing, cosmetics and jewellery followed by Korean traditional pottery, folk arts and crafts, liquors and teas, kimchi and ginseng products.

Seoul's two massive markets, Namdaemun (South Gate) and Dongdaemun (East Gate) draw a lot of visitors for the wide variety of goods on offer.  Namdaemun is the largest traditional market in Korea and sells just about everything.  Dongdaemum Shopping town includes the market and also Korea's largest fashion shopping areas. The popular fashion stores of Migliore and Doota provide the latest trends in fashion at very reasonable prices.

Myeongdong nearby Namdaemun is a very popular fashion district.  With shoes, clothing, accessories and cosmetics as well as a huge number of restaurants and cafes it is a very popular area with tourists.  Across from Myeongdong is the famed Lotte Department Store which offers high-end goods at it's luxury store, Avenuel.

If you would like to enjoy a traditional street feel in Seoul then pay a visit Insa-dong where you can browse celadon pottery stores, art galleries, traditional folk art stores etc. and enjoy lunch in a traditional Korean restaurant or tea-house.

If you are looking for some 'Gangnam Style' visit the southern suburb of Seoul where PSY lives and you can shop for the latest designer fashions in Garosu-gil or Agpujeong-dong.

Busan, the southern seaport of Korea has Centum City which holds the Guinness world record for the largest department store in the world.  This all inclusive shopping centre has a hot spring, water park, ice skating rink, dinner theatre and golf practice range along with all the shopping you could ever wish to do.

Also in Busan, Gwangbok-dong Fashion Street in the centre of the city has not only its Fashion Street but a special youth fashion Street, food streets, imported goods street, shoe store alley, a food alley as well as a traditional market and large department stores.

Jeju Island off the south coast of Korea is a popular semi-tropical island getaway.  Jeju has unique souvenirs from the island as well as all the fashion stores, jewellery stores, handbag stores, glasses, jewellery and much more.  Jeju Island also offers great duty-free shopping with numerous international brands as well as Korean luxury brands.

If you are travelling to Korea in the future and need some help to know where all the best places are to shop in the country, order your free copy of the Korea Shopping Guide from Korea Tourism Org. Sydney office  Email:  visitkorea@knto.org.au   Website:  www.koreabeinspired.com.au

New Seoul Subway Guide & Pavement QR Codes Assist visitors to Korea

Seoul city is becoming a more tourist friendly city with the latest Subway Guide for Visitors and pedestrian QR Codes on the street in Korean singing sensation PSY's neighborhood of Gangnam.

QR Codes have been around for a number of years in Korea on bus shelters and elsewhere, but it is the first time that the QR codes have appeared on the pavement right in the eye of pedestrians.

The QR Codes can be accessed with a smartphone and provide tourist information about major attractions in the Gangnam area.  By simply scanning the QR Code visitors can read numerous information and materials taken from printed brochures about the Gangnam, Garosu-gil, and area surrounding COEX.

Using the QR Codes is quick and easy.  You simply scan with the code-scanning app on your phone and the information will automatically pop up about the area you are visiting with information regarding shopping areas, restaurant locations and directions in English, Chinese or Japanese.

The new Seoul Subway Travel Guide (Lines 1-8) has been published in four languages including English to make it easier for visitors to the city to get around the Seoul CBD to go sightseeing, shopping and more.  The Travel Guide has a lot of  useful information for visitors such as how to buy a single journey ticket, how to use the transportation card recharging machine, tour courses available by subway and other essential information for getting around the city.  Seoul city's subway is super efficient and very safe and clean and incredibly cheap to get around with a ride costing less than a dollar.

The Seoul Subway Travel Guide is available in (44) Seoul subway stations frequented by foreign visitors and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) plan to have the guides on their official travel website (www.visitkorea.or.kr) in the near future.

For more information on QR Travel Codes and the Seoul Subway Travel Guide visit the official travel website for Korea www.visitkorea.or.kr or pick up the guide at the nearest subway station on arrival in Seoul.