The Korea Herald

THAAD fallout may halve number of inbound Chinese tourists

Apr 12, 2017

The icy relationship between Seoul and Beijing over the deployment of an advanced US missile defense system in Korea may end up cutting the number of Chinese tourists here by half, a state-run tourism body said Wednesday.Last month, China reportedly issued an order to major travel agencies not to sell tours to Korea after March 15, following the Seoul-Washington alliance’s decision to station the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system here.According to the Korea Tourism Organization, the num
[Eye Plus] Standing atop Seoul

Apr 7, 2017

Spring could not have come soon enough. After wintry months of one piece of gloomy news after another, things are starting to look prettier, at least on the surface.Namsan, nestled in the middle of chaotic Seoul, is finally looking more hopeful, as the barren trees and branches are being coated with blooming magnolia, forsythia and azalea.Groups of hikers and gaggles of friends and families share smiles as they walk up the trails or ride cable cars to reach the landmark N Tower and take pictures
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Apr 7, 2017

Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival The Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the area of Jeonnong-ro and the entrance of Jeju National University. The peak of the King Cherry Tree blossoms lasts for only two to three days, but the beautiful blossoms can be seen for weeks, until April 9.There is no admission fee. For more information, call the travel hotline at 1330 or visit www.visitjeju.net. Both provide information in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.Shinan Tulip Festival Shinan Tulip Fe
Luxury hotels offer spring packages that fete cherry blossoms

Apr 6, 2017

With the blooming flowers and warm breezes reminding us that spring has arrived, high-end hotels in Seoul located in areas known for cherry blossoms present room packages for guests to enjoy the season.Conrad Seoul in Yeouido -- one of go-to spots in Seoul for cherry blossom viewing -- has introduced the “Blooming Days” package, suitable particularly for picnic-goers.Conrad SeoulConrad Seoul‘s Blooming days packageThe package offers one night’s stay a in a luxury room with view of the Han River,
Korea Tour Card growing popular with foreigners

Apr 4, 2017

A smartcard allowing foreign tourists to enjoy various benefits is growing popular, Visit Korea Committee said Tuesday, selling over 20,000 just two months after its release.Launched in late January, the Korea Tour Card allows those visiting the country to get discounts on some tourism-related activities, encompassing shopping, sightseeing and performances such as those by Hallyu stars. It also acts as a pass for public transport anywhere in the country, until 2018. Japanese tourists pose with t
[Travel Bits] Festivals, sights around Korea

Mar 31, 2017

Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the area of Jeonnong-ro and the entrance of Jeju National University. The peak of the King Cherry Tree blossoms lasts for only two to three days, but the beautiful blossoms can be seen for weeks, until April 9.There are no admission fees. For more information, call the travel hotline at 1330 for Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese services, or visit www.visitjeju.net for information provided in Korean, English, Japanese
Korea plans on more ‘Muslim friendly’ restaurants

Mar 28, 2017

To woo more Muslim tourists, the Korean government is planning to expand the number of Muslim-friendly restaurants here. Korea Tourism Organization announced that it will expand the number of such restaurants from 135 to 170 to help reach its goal of hosting 1.2 million Muslim tourists this year. It started receiving applications from local restaurants Monday and will continue to do so until April 28.Muslim tourists from Indonesia pose in front of the National Folk Museum of Korea in Seoul in th
[Herald Interview] The meaning of luxury hospitality in the age of Airbnb

Mar 24, 2017

MONTREUX -- As travel becomes cheaper and more personalized with the advent of online lodging services like Airbnb, feedback sites like TripAdvisor, and itinerary planners like Google Trip, the notion of “hospitality” is changing.Some say the emerging services have led to a decline in the hotel business. The leaders of Swiss Education Group, however, argue that the field of hospitality -- a sector which incorporates hotel management, fine dining, concierge services and luxury branding -- has exp
[Travel Bits] Festivals and sights around Korea

Mar 24, 2017

Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival Jeju Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in the area of Jeonnong-ro and the entrance of Jeju National University. The peak of the King Cherry Tree blossoms lasts for only 2 to 3 days, but the beautiful blossoms can be seen for weeks, from March 31 and continue until April 9.There are no admission fees or age limit.For more information, call the travel hotline at 1330 for Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese services, or visit www.visitjeju.net for information provi
Korea to issue e-visas for Southeast Asians to tackle THAAD fallout

Mar 22, 2017

The Korean government on Wednesday announced that it will start issuing electronic visas to Southeast Asian tourists in May, as part of its plan to aid the local tourism industry which has been hit by tension between Seoul and Beijing.In opposition of last year’s joint decision by the Korea-US alliance to station the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system here, China has been curbing Chinese tours to Korea. This includes the reported order by Beijing to ban its tourism agencies from selling
[Travel Bits] Festivals in Korea this week

Mar 17, 2017

Yangpyeong Strawberry FestivalThe Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival is being held through the end of May. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at the strawberry farms and participate in a variety of activities and programs in the village. Reservations are required.Exclusive events for bloggers are on offer at blog.naver.com/yp_nadri. Up to 50 groups can participate. The festival is open to visitors of all ages. Visit www.yp21.net for information provided in Korean, English, Japanese and Mandari
[Weekender] Travel bits

Mar 10, 2017

Yangpyeong Strawberry FestivalThe Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival is being held through the end of May. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at the strawberry farms and participate in a variety of activities and programs in the village. Reservations are required.Exclusive events for bloggers are on offer at blog.naver.com/yp_nadri. Up to 50 teams can participate. The festival is open to visitors of all ages. Visit www.yp21.net for information provided in Korean, English, Japanese and Mandarin
[Weekender] Walk across a land frozen in time

Mar 3, 2017

Nature trail in the DMZ offers unusual experience of strolling on land little touched by men for more than 60 years　
Hitting the road less traveled for unique rewards

Mar 3, 2017

Shim Soo-jin didn’t like heavy topics, but when she saw the images of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine through a television documentary, she was “hooked.” The ravaged, desolate building and its surroundings were so mind-boggling that she decided to tour the place while she was a university student. Having visited the place three times since 2015, she has filmed one of her trips and talked about her experiences on radio and at seminars. “I felt so many things there, sadness, happiness
[Weekender] Travel bits

Mar 3, 2017

Yangpyeong Strawberry FestivalThe Yangpyeong Strawberry Festival is being held through the end of May. Visitors can pick their own strawberries at the strawberry farms and participate in a variety of activities and programs in the village. Reservation is required.Exclusive events for bloggers are on offer at blog.naver.com/yp_nadri. Up to 50 teams can participate. The festival is open to visitors of all ages. For more information, visit www.yp21.net for information provided in Korean, English, J