Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization have offered a FAM tour to working-level employees of representative Taiwanese travel agencies and MICE industry companies, as well as to 20 leading journalists, in cooperation with Asiana and China Airlines to promote the attraction of Taiwanese tourists.
The tour ran from September 2 to 6 and was attended by local tourism industry staff, including those in charge of the development of Korea tourism products at 11 Taiwanese travel agencies from Taipei and Kaohsiung, and group tour planners from five MICE companies.
In addition, journalists from three major Taiwanese media outlets – Tianxia Zazhi, Business Weekly, and Huodong Pingtai Zazhi – and airline managers visited MICE facilities in Gyeonggi Province.
On the day of their arrival, the participants attended a welcoming dinner at the Korean Folk Village where they experienced the atmosphere of a traditional Korean village. Afterwards, they participated in the FAM tour for the purpose of product development and were divided into the general tourism industry team and MICE-media team.
The general tourism industry team visited recently developed shopping areas – including Pangyo La Street, La Festa Goyang and Starfield Goyang – in consideration of increased demand for shopping experiences among Taiwanese tourists. They also took part in a variety of attractive tourist activities in the province including swimming and relaxation at Caribbean Bay in Yongin, a therapeutic walk at Hino Scent Healingtopia in Seongnam, apple picking in Pocheon, The Gallery Sansawon makgeolli tasting, monorail riding in Pocheon Art Valley, and Pocheon Herb Island’s DIY programs.
In addition, they visited emerging tourist destinations such as the Whistle for Tomorrow, a recently built Skywalk at Imjingak Pavilion in Paju and Hyundai Motorstudio in Goyang for future travel product development.
The MICE-media team toured conference facilities including Novotel Ambassador Suwon and sightseeing spots in Gyeonggi Province – such as Youth Mall in Suwon Yeongdong Market, Starfield Hanam and the Pyeongtaek Tourist Complex – where tourists can experience the unique culture and atmosphere of Korea while also taking part in team-building programs.
They also experienced new tourist products including Suwon Velo Taxi, Flying Suwon (Hot Air Balloon Experience Program) and the Tiger Calyx makgeolli-tasting program.
Gyeonggi Province will continue its efforts to diversify overseas markets and attract foreign tourists by participating in an independent tour information session held on September 17 in Shanghai and the ITF in Taiwan from October 27 to 30.