Travel Bits

Korail Tourism Development is gearing up to promote its nationwide rail cruise called Haerang in an effort to attract more foreign tourists during the summer.

The Haerang cruise express offers three-day and two-day tourism programs enabling travelers to see Korea’s beautiful landscapes while staying overnight in the train’s hotel-style rooms.

It travels as far as Jeonju City in North Jeolla Province, where travelers can visit its famous hanok villages of traditional Korean homes, and Busan to see the Haeundae Beach.

From 2014 to August 2015, about 200 foreigners, including those who booked a ride for this summer, will have taken the train. Around 70 percent of the foreigners come from China and Hong Kong, the state-run railway tourism operator said.

For more information, call 1544-7755, or visit www.railcruise.co.kr.



Rose Festival at Everland

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Everland’s Rose Festival, the country’s biggest theme park is offering various special events until June 17.

Everland has set up an exhibition displaying family pictures with roses at the theme parks, which have been collected from its social media presence on such networks as Facebook and Kakao Story.

Some 1,000 photos were submitted by visitors to the Rose Festival from late last month, with some 300 photos being selected by online ballots and professional photographers.

Also, Everland will hold a photo contest with entrants able to choose any subject, and the winners will be awarded Samsung Electronics’ mirrorless smart camera NX500 and free tickets to Everland and Caribbean Bay.



Fly business to Indonesia 

Garuda, Indonesia’s flag carrier, is offering special discounts for its business-class flights to Koreans seeking to travel to the country this summer.

The special promotional event for two-way flights between Incheon and Jakarta will run until June 30, with a starting price of 1.29 million won ($1,170) with tax and fuel surcharge included.

The discount will be offered to those planning to stay in Indonesia at least three days and up to 14 days, Garuda said.

The airliner provides flight services between Incheon and Jakarta seven times a week and between Incheon and Bali six times. For more information, call 02-773-2092 or check https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/kr/en.



Festival in Itaewon

Yongsan-gu will hold a cultural festival in the multinational district of Itaewon every Saturday and Sunday between May 23 and June 20.

The district office said that it would hold various shows, including traditional music performances mixed with modern electronic music, hip-hop and Korean harp performances by Korean and foreign artists.

The seven-day Itaewon Weekend Cultural Festival will be held at the Itaewon plaza near Noksapyeong Station and at the War Memorial of Korea between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“We hope this festival will turn out to be memorable for both locals and foreigners, who have rejuvenated Itaewon as a tourist attraction,” said Yongsan-gu Mayor Sung Jang-hyun.



‘Korea Night’ in LA

The Korea Tourism Organization will hold “Korea Night” at LA Dodgers Stadium on June 17 when the Dodgers and Texas Rangers face off in a Major League Baseball game.

Korean players Ryu Hyun-jin, a starting pitcher for the LA Dodgers, and Choo Shin-soo, a Texas Rangers outfielder, will participate in the promotion of Korea to the expected 50,000 spectators at the stadium, according to the KTO.

K-pop girl group 2NE1’s CL will throw the first pitch of the game and Korean rock singer Yoon Do-hyun will perform.

The KTO will also promote the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and commemorate Americans who served during the Korean War, marking its 65th anniversary this year.