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India is a vast country with a diverse culture. Similarly, the Indian travel trade is geographically diverse and hence what they offer to different categories of travellers is also variable.

Every travel agent has their own set of clientele and requires its own specialized travel packages. As a destination promoter, it is important for Korea Tourism Organization to offer and educate the Indian travel trade about the variety of offerings South Korea has to suit the requirements of Indian travellers.

Thorough knowledge of the destination not only helps the travel agent in selling the destination but it also creates a desirable image of the destination for the travellers.

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has come up with training programmes which touch essential information like popular tourist spots, activities to do and addressing Indian specific food requirements. At the same time, the specifics such as Special Interest Travel, MICE and Educational tours are also covered in the program.

There are various offline and online modes through which the Tourism Organizations have been educating the travel agents in India. Practice reveals webinars have worked best as it enables KTO to have a larger geographical and number outreach.
Korea tourism takes a 360-degree approach when it comes to educating the travel trade. Seven webinars with four different online training partners have already been planned. Multicity training with OTOAI is also on the cards.

Like every year, KTO plans to participate in major travel and tourism exhibitions to reach out to as many travel agencies as possible.
The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected the tourism industry. With no international flight operations, it has brought the entire travel industry to a standstill. However, the actual impact of Coronavirus can only be realized after a few months, once the business operations start again. It will take some time for the travellers again start making their travel plans.
KTO has reinstated that safety is their first priority when it comes to travelling in Korea. South Korea has been applauded the world over for its proactive approach on containing COVID-19 pandemic. KTO is working to achieve similar standards when it comes to welcoming the travellers post coronavirus issue is resolved.

KTO is focussing on strengthening their digital strengths currently and have launched webinars to educate their travel trade partners on the latest product offerings of South Korea. Once the COVID-19 situation is over, the plan is to do multicity training with OTOAI, reaching more than 2500 travel agents this year. Their Social Media campaigns will be running parallel to the webinars.
By the time this situation gets resolved, travel agents will be well prepared to offer a new destination to their clients.

India has always been a priority for marketing South Korea as a tourist destination. There is great potential in this region with more than 65 million passport holders and millennial travellers who are willing to experience new destinations every time they plan their holiday.

KTO states that It is imperative for Korea to be present as a destination offering to Indian travellers.

Source: travelnewsdigest.in