More Indians are travelling to Korea. The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) came with a delegation of 13 DMC’s last week to connect with local tour planners and promote Korea further in Southern India. The target markets this time were Bengaluru and Chennai.
Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director-India and SAARC countries, Korea Tourism Organisation, said at the Roadshow in Bengaluru: “We’re here to celebrate strongly growing travel from India to Korea and invite travellers from enchanting and ever evolving city of Bengaluru. We are hoping to receive 250,000 India visitors this year. After Covid-19, there’s lots of Indian interest in K-movies, K-drama and K-pop. Many are also interested in Korean food.”
In 2024, 176,000 Indians visited South Korea, representing a 44% increase from the previous year.
Myong Kil Yun, RD-India, KTO
There are eight direct flights per week from New Delhi to Seoul, operated by Korean Air and Air India, with three flights by Korean Air and five by Air India. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Thai Airways and Malaysian Airlines connect from Bengaluru to Seoul.
Do-Yoon Lee, Director, Magpie DMC Korea, told EGT Media: “December to February is the best season for Ski enthusiasts. Cherry blossoms bloom from April 1 and last for approximately a month. There are many things to see in Seoul, Busan and the surrounding areas. Jeju is like Hawaii of Korea. Here, one can witness the rare traditional activity of women diving to catch fresh fish, an activity that’s dwindling due to hot weather arising from global warming.”
Mr Lee said that he started his career as a tour guide and has 25 years of widely travelled experience within Korea.
Rohit Hangal, Secretary, Bengaluru, SKAL International, said: “There’s a historic connection between India and Korea. According to historians, Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya, who later became Heo Hwang-ok, travelled for three months on a boat to marry King Suro, who founded the Karak dynasty in 42 AD. The capital of his kingdom was Gimhae City, now in proximity to Busan.” Today, millions of people in South Korea trace their origin to the Karak clan.
B Ashok, Founder & CEO, Wonderful Journeys, said: “Indians are travelling extensively and want to explore newer destinations. Korea is popular in India for its electronics and cars. I usually book flights and insurance and let 6 Korean agents, whom I work with, to handle local tours in Korea. Availability of private cars and coaches makes the local travel easy. India’s stronger currency as against Korea’s also gives a slight edge in spending. I send between 50 to 75 people every year and there’s a lot of scope to send more, if visa is issued quickly.”
B Ashok, CEO, Wonderful Journeys
VFS Global, a visa facilitation agency, handles Korean visas. Venugopal K P, Head of Operations-South India, VFS Global, said: “Korean Visa are handled at our Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru offices. Our Bengaluru office accepts applications for both short term visas (for tourists) and long-term visas (for trade visitors and marriage migrants). It takes about 8 days plus the courier time to get the visa stamped from the consulate in Chennai. Express visa facility is available within 8 days for an extra fee.” Korean Visa costs INR 3200 plus INR 1380 (VFS fee).
The Korea Tourism Organisation encourages MICE groups and provides preliminary visit support to corporates for incentive travel, covering the return flight ticket and visa fee for the destination inspector. It also offers various incentives to MICE groups, depending on their size.
Mr Kil Yun said: “Seoul, Busan and Jeju are popular destinations. We also have 100-plus Indian restaurants in Korea. There’s more connectivity now from India and domestic flight connectivity is between 8 international airports within Korea. Efficient and reliable public transport network along with express trains like KTX and SRT make travel easy within Korea. We hope that Korea becomes a top destination for Indian travellers in the years ahead.” KTO plans roadshows in Kochi and Kolkata for May 2025.
By Madhura Katti
