VisitKorea, a tourism information service platform operated by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has recently revamped its website and mobile application to offer new services for travelers to Korea. The platform is divided into three main sections: “Plan Your Trip,” “Where to Go,” and “Things to Do.”
Under the “Plan Your Trip” section, users can utilize the Travel Planner feature. By selecting travel dates and personal interests, the platform suggests personalized itineraries with optimized routes. It also provides a list of accommodations and restaurants nearby. Users can view other people’s itineraries and read reviews as well.
In the “Where to Go” section, users can browse through 150 itinerary recommendations by choosing a location on the map or inputting keywords. One unique feature in this section is the itineraries recommended by Korean celebrities. Fans of these celebrities can see where they recommend visiting. For example, Yang Yo-seob from the boy band Highlight recommended Gangneung as a comfortable and enjoyable destination. He specifically mentioned Anmok Beach as a must-visit spot with great coffee, dessert, souvenir shops, and good restaurants nearby. This recommendation caught the attention of a traveler named Julie, who had never heard of Anmok Beach before. After reading Yang’s recommendation, Julie decided to visit Gangneung and added the beach and coffee street to her itinerary.
Julie expressed her satisfaction with VisitKorea, stating that she has never seen such a convenient service for planning trips before. She believes it is a must-use service for anyone considering visiting Korea, especially for those interested in exploring the travel destinations recommended by their favorite Korean celebrities.
The VisitKorea mobile app also provides location-based services, allowing travelers to receive discount coupons and vouchers while they explore specific areas. To promote the new platform, VisitKorea is holding lucky draw events with prizes such as a two-day Incheon tour course, a one-day Seoul tour course, BTS merchandise, and more.
To create a personalized itinerary using Visit Korea’s Travel Planner, users need to follow three steps. Firstly, they select the dates of their trip and choose their destination from the map, with options including cities like Seoul, Busan, and Jeju Island. Then, users select their interests from eight categories, such as city, culture, food, nature, history, and more. Finally, the platform provides a personalized itinerary that includes recommended attractions and accommodations. Users can also customize the itinerary by adding or removing attractions.
For example, Julie planned a two-day trip to Gangneung, Gangwon. Based on her interests, the platform recommended starting her trip at Ojukheon House, a traditional Korean house where a renowned scholar and politician of the Joseon Dynasty was born. Julie added Arte Museum Valley Gangneung and the Gyeongpo Beach Hotel to her itinerary. On the second day, she planned to visit Anmok Beach and Gangneung Coffee Street.
Overall, VisitKorea’s revamped platform aims to assist travelers in better planning their trips and navigating Korea during their stay. Its personalized recommendations, celebrity itineraries, and location-based services are designed to enhance the travel experience for visitors to Korea.