(image: Korea Tourism Organization)
SEOUL, Jul. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — One-day tours for foreign tourists organized by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) have proven to be popular for international visitors to Korea whose main purpose of visit is for medical treatment.
The KTO revealed yesterday that 92 percent of the program’s participants said that they were satisfied with the tours.
Participants gave the program a grade of 4.6 out of 5 points. After kicking off on May 8, organizers have seen a total of 314 international patients and their companions take part in the program thus far.
Patients and their significant others from northern Eurasia had an especially high participation rate, with those from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan accounting for 83 percent of all participants.
Of the program participants, 46 percent had received treatment from a medical facility in Seoul.
In previous years, few international patients and their companions took part in tourism activities outside of the time spent for their medical diagnosis and treatment.
In 2017, only 45.9 percent of the 320,000 foreign patients who came to Korea with 2.4 travel companions (on average) for medical purposes participated in tourism activities during their stay.
This year, however, the KTO organized the tour program associated with medical visits to heighten the satisfaction levels of patients and their companions as they take advantage of world-class medical services.
The tours, to be operated until December 14, will allow patients and their companions to visit key cultural and historical sites such as Changdeok Palace, Insa-dong and the Tongin Market as part of the general tour.
In addition, a customized one-day tour will also be available for groups made up of at least five individuals per medical clinic.
Transportation, tour guides and travel insurance coverage are included in the program free of charge, while entrance fees and food are covered by the participants.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
