Seoul City offers freestyle package for foreign tourists

The Seoul Metropolitan Government will introduce a freestyle travel program for foreign tourists who wish to visit provincial areas without an organized tour, according to officials.

The package, which provides transportation and accommodation, will take tourists to destinations and let them travel according to their own schedule, according to officials.

“When I worked for a private travel agent for 20 years, I got to know that many foreigners prefer traveling on their own to package tours,” said Choi Yong-hoon of the tourist division of the city government who proposed the idea.

The freestyle bus travel is to depart from Seoul four times a week. It offers courses for the eastern part of Korea, the western part and the whole country. The price is estimated at about 400,000-500,000 won ($350-$440).

Some spots that are generally regarded as must-see places but are difficult to reach due to complex transportation arrangements will be included in the new travel package.

Among the places are Yeosu, the host city of the 2012 Expo, PyeongChang, where the 2018 Winter Olympics will be held, and Gyeongju and Andong in North Gyeongsang, where cultural heritage is preserved.

“Provincial governments have told us that they would like to see foreign residents and tourists in Seoul come to their regions,” said Choi.

“We expect the travel package to foster foreigners’ trips to the provinces and settle as a convenient tool for foreigners to enjoy Korea,” Choi added.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)