InsideAsia has released its first dedicated South Korea programme due to “growing” interest in the country.
Rising popularity in the destination, dubbed the ‘Korean Wave’, has been driven by TV dramas and K-pop music from the country as well as Korean technology and food.
The operator said that as a result of this it was seeing an increase in people booking holidays to the destination, one of the few in the Far East to have opened its borders to tourism, prompting it to launch its first digital brochure dedicated to South Korea.
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Matt Spiller, trade sales and marketing manager, said: “Although interest in a country doesn’t instantly translate into travel, when it comes to South Korea, the interest is most definitely there – and it’s growing.”
He said the brochure would help travel agents and their clients to plan a trip, adding: “There is so much to this country and its culture that people don’t always know where to start.”
The brochure includes information such as the best time of year to visit and ideas for holidaymakers wanting food-themed trips, walking, contemporary cultural experiences, as well as those wanting to visit tried and tested tourism spots.
It features five sample trips, with links to the relevant South Korea pages on the InsideAsia website.
Spiller added: “This is still a relatively unknown destination, so we wanted to ensure that we give just enough inspirational overview and cultural insight without overwhelming agent partners and clients.”
Itinerary suggestions include ‘must-dos’ such as a stay in a traditional hanok guest house, Seoul’s traditional bars, street food, and K-pop scene. Other options offered range from walking in the Seoraksan National Park, beach stays on islands such as Jeju, and visits to temple towns and villages.
The 12-night ‘Best of South Korea’ trip includes Seoul, the mountains, stays in a traditional guest house in the UNESCO World Heritage village of Hahoe, trips on highspeed KTX trains across the country, Gyeongiu, the ‘museum without walls’, and Jagalchi market in Busan. It costs from £4,250, including accommodation with breakfast, all transport, private guides and cultural experiences but excludes international flights.
InsideAsia’s sister brand InsideJapan has also reported increasing demand for South Korea.
Spiller added: “Although the two countries are completely different, there are many similarities between South Korea and Japan. We believe South Korea is a country and culture full of surprises, often overdelivering and exceeding holiday expectations. It is gradually redefining those travel ‘wish lists’.”
South Korea opened its borders on April 1, with some Covid-19 testing still required.
All international visitors over the age of five must provide a negative PCR or lateral flow test certificate on arrival in South Korea taken within 48 hours prior to departure, and must be tested within 24 hours of arrival for Covid. Unvaccinated visitors must quarantine on arrival for seven days at a government hotel.
InsideAsia’s new South Korea brochure is available to download from the operator’s website.