KTO Explore New Ways To “Imagine Your Korea”

Due to the pandemic, travel plans were postponed or even canceled. With South Korea’s and many countries’ focus on preventing the further spread of COVID-19, the tourism sector worldwide took a hit. Summer, Korea’s usual high season of travel, seems to have to give up the title this year. Despite physical distancing and travel restrictions, the Korea Tourism Organization tries to find new ways to cheer up wanderlusts.

On July 6th, 2020, Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) released a video titled “Explore Korea through Netflix!” The video display popular series, documentaries, variety shows, dramas, and movies on Netflix featuring beautiful Korean landscape and culture. Kingdom series, Busted!, Chef’s Table, Street Food, and Love Alarm are a few shows mentioned. With the video’s release, KTO hopes many people could go on an online trip through Netflix from the comfort of everyone’s houses.

Meanwhile, KTO Indonesia launched the campaign #SaveAjaDulu (translated to #SaveThisFirst in English) on social networks to inform people about places worth visiting after the pandemic ends. The campaign provides recommendations while supporting Indonesia’s and Korea’s policies to reduce travel due to COVID-19. KTO Indonesia also launched a guidebook tailored to Indonesian FITs (free independent travelers).

The guidebook “Liburan #KeKoreaAja Yuk!” (translated to “Let’s #VisitKorea on Holiday”) was created by KTO Indonesia staff after researching Indonesia’s FITs demography and preferences. As the world’s largest Muslim-populated country, many travelers from Indonesia embrace Islam. They need to find a masjid or musalla to pray and eat halal food. In the book, KTO Indonesia provides information about restaurants and places to do prayer in Indonesian. 

The other information provided in this book is instagrammable places. As a country with many Instagram users, KTO captures the need for cafes and hip places for people who like to take photos. As cafe-hopping has become one of the hobbies of Indonesia’s FITs, Tea Therapy, Through restaurants, Seoul coffee 1945 are cafes with the aesthetical view and great ambiance recommended by KTO.

The guidebook “Liburan #KeKoreaAja Yuk!” not only fits returning FITs but also first-time Korea travelers. With recommendations, tips, and a clear explanation of Korea, its culture, and its transportation system, the book ticked all the boxes for an excellent guidebook.

*This article was initially published in Honorary Reporters Korea.net’s old Website.