The Korea Tourism Organization is inviting bloggers across Asia to a special tour event to promote Korean tourism from Oct. 22-26. Those who wish to attend should choose one thing they want to do, see or listen to in Korea and create a video clip or write a post about the topic. They get extra points if registered with the Facebook, Twitter and Weibo page of the KTO and promote the event through the channels or their blogs. The application period is from Sept. 10-23 and finalists will be announc

The Korea Tourism Organization opened an Istanbul office this week in response to the surge in Korean tourists to Turkey and the growing popularity of Korean pop culture among young Turkish people. The KTO expects the office will promote Korean tourism to Turkish people by introducing Korean dramas, movies and music. It also plans to draw more business travelers to Korea. Last year, 17,298 Korean tourists visited Turkey and a total of 70,266 people visited the country during the last five years,

AUSTELL, Georgia (AP) ― Six Flags Over Georgia outside Atlanta is planning to build the tallest ride in the theme park’s 45-year history.Park officials announced that SkyScreamer, an extreme swing ride, will spin guests at 65 kph atop a 24-story tower.SkyScreamer will be four stories higher than Goliath, the roller coaster that climbs higher than many of the skyscrapers in downtown Atlanta.Six Flags is in Austell, just west of Atlanta off Interstate 20.Six Flags officials also announced a new ri

BERLIN (AP) ― The opening of Berlin’s new airport looks set to be delayed for the second time this year, with local officials considering further postponement to fall 2013.The new Willy Brandt Airport will replace the aging Tegel and Schoenefeld airports, which served West and East Berlin respectively during the Cold War. But construction has faced technical problems and it has become an increasing embarrassment to local politicians.The airport’s planned June 3 opening was scrapped with just a f

Hotel prices went up by 4 percent in the first half of the year, showing a recovery in the hotel industry, according to the Hotel Price Index by Hotels.com.But that means travelers paid more on average for their hotel rooms during the first six months of 2012 in all parts of the world, with Europe and the Middle East region showing a 1 percent increase in hotel prices, 6 percent in the Pacific region, 5 percent in North America and 4 percent in Asia. “The hotel industry bounced back in the first

The Korea Tourism Organization is holding a concert at riverside parks from Sept. 8-9 in Gwangju and Daegu as part of efforts to facilitate tourism near river areas. The concert titled “Two Wheel Concert” will feature bike ride events and musical performances by top Korean and foreign singers and musicians such as pop diva Kim Wan-seon, girl group Dal Shabet, New Age pianist Yang Bang-eon and Latin jazz band Nueva Manteca for the Gwangju concert, and singer JK Kim Dong-wook, Kim Tae-woo and Arab

The Korea Tourism Organization has upgraded its English-language travel information mobile application to help foreign tourists find more detailed information on Korea. The 2.0 version of Visit Korea includes descriptions of tourist attractions, restaurants, accommodation and shopping information and directions. “With the surge in the number of smartphone users, the KTO has launched a mobile application service that will help foreign tourists explore Korea,” said a KTO official in charge of the

The German National Tourist Board has launched its “Top 100” mobile app to help tourists discover the country’s most popular tourist attractions. The GNTB’s first mobile application for iOS and Android devices feature descriptions of attractions in Germany’s 16 states, mobile coupons to the attractions as well as real-time news about Germany. “The Top 100 will strengthen communication with our visitors and raise Germany’s profile as a travel destination around the world,” said Petra Hedorfer, ch