Park Sam-ku, the chief of the Visit Korea Committee, speaks during a launching ceremony for K-travel Bus, an inter-city bus service that includes tour packages, in downtown Seoul, on March 25, 2016. (Image : Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 25 (Korea Bizwire) – An inter-city bus connecting major tourist attractions in South Korea began operations on Friday to provide foreign travelers with a convenient transportation option and introduce hidden treasures, a tourism promotion agency said.
The “K-travel Bus” exclusively serves foreigners who want to travel outside the capital city, to boost travel to smaller cities and rural areas,” said Visit Korea Committee, an agency under the culture ministry.’
Passengers can tour around the nation for two days for US$150-170, a trip that includes transportation, lodging, an English-speaking guide and admission fees. The package offers four-star hotel accommodation with breakfast included.
The bus will take foreign visitors to major tourist destinations in Daegu, Gangwon Province, South Gyeongsang Province and Jeolla Province, as well as this year’s tourism picks — Tongyoung, Jecheon and Muju.
The committee said it offered the package tour at an affordable price to promote travel in different parts of the nation, hoping private agencies will follow suit and develop similar programs.
“K-travel Bus is designed to offer various cultural experiences at tourism destinations across the nation to provide foreign travelers with opportunities to see other parts of the nation beyond Seoul,” Park Sam-ku, the chief of the Visit Korea Committee, said during a launching ceremony. “I hope this will help revitalize local tourism and the economy, and encourage foreigners to visit Korea again.”
On Friday, a total of 60 foreigners embarked on the trip to six destinations, including Daegu, Gangwon Province and Jeolla Province.
The bus operates once a week, when there’s at least four travelers, and gives refunds for reservations if applicants fall below the minimum requirement one week prior to departure.
Service to Tongyoung will start in the second quarter, and Jecheon and Muju will operate in the latter half of the year, the committee said.
Foreigners can make reservations at www.k-travelbus.com.
(Yonhap)
