The Gyeonggi Tourism Organization (President Lim Byeong-Soo) is launching the Gyeonggi Tour Bus for domestic and foreign tourists on June 1, 2009.

The Gyeonggi Tour Bus is offering two tours. The first tour is a visit to Hwaseonghaenggung in Suwon and the Icheon World Ceramics Center for a range of traditional Korean cultural experiences, including archery and ceramic making. The second tour is a drama tour, which combines trips to Yangpyeong English Village, where Boys Over Flowers, a TV drama that has been gaining popularity in Japan, is shot, as well as Guri Blacksmith Village, which is famous as the location for “Taewangsashingi” and “Princess Ja Myeong Go”.

Following a Gyeonggi Tour Bus pilot program in 2008, the Organization analyzed problems and improved the marketability of the product. A spokesperson for the Organization said, “With a professional tour guide, visitors can experience the province’s best tourist attractions in a single day. We expect that the program will attract visitors who have not been able to come in the past due to a lack of transportation options.”

The new product is provided in partnership with “Sarangchae” (a detached house), the accommodation facility run by Suwon Hwaseong Management Foundation. Backpackers who stay at Sarangchae can also use Gyeonggi Tour Bus. In addition, the participation of Lotte Tour in the program is expected to lead to various synergies. The prices of the first program and the second program are KRW 52,000 and KRW 55,000, respectively, and include lunch, transportation, a tour guide, and travel insurance.

A spokesperson for the Organization said, “When the Gyeonggi Tour Bus is being used, we will develop additional products that can access Seoul, in order to allow more visitors to easily enjoy popular tourist destinations in Gyeonggi Province.”

To make a reservation on the Gyeonggi Tour Bus, contact Lotte Tour via the following number. The Internet reservation system is currently under development.

Lotte Tour (Tel: 1577-3700), Internet Reservation System (http://www.lottetour.com)