Sayart.net - Korea′s K-Tourism Roadshow Captivates New York, Attracting Record Visitors and Paving the Way for U.S. Tourism Surge

MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM

Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism proudly announced the resounding success of the K-Tourism Roadshow event held in New York over the weekend. Showcasing the nation's rich traditional and contemporary culture, the event, hosted and organized by the Culture Ministry and the Korea Tourism Organization, mesmerized visitors at iconic locations like Rockefeller Center and Times Square from Wednesday to Saturday.

As part of the ambitious Visit Korea Year 2023-2024 initiative, a two-year project launched by the Korean government to entice more international tourists, the K-Tourism Roadshow commemorates the 70th anniversary of the Korea-U.S. alliance. Attracting keen interest from American tourists, the event strategically targeted New York, given its status as the largest outbound tourist market from the United States, as revealed by expenditure data from the previous year. This year alone, the United States ranked third in terms of countries with tourists visiting Korea, trailing only Japan and China. A remarkable recovery was observed in May 2023, with approximately 390,000 Americans traveling to Korea, reaching an impressive 97.4 percent of pre-pandemic visitor numbers in May 2019.

Catering to diverse interests and preferences, the K-Tourism Roadshow meticulously curated booths based on popular K-content themes, captivating the imagination of over 100,000 visitors during its duration. The showcase boasted an array of engaging attractions, from an informative booth providing insights into traveling in Korea to a K-pop music video hanbok (traditional Korean clothes) try-on booth and a tantalizing Korean fried chicken booth, a culinary delight beloved by many. Attendees also had the unique opportunity to indulge in a Blue House photo op, a highlight for many as the former presidential office now stands transformed into a beloved tourist attraction.

Park Jong-taek, director-general of the Tourism Policy Bureau at the Culture Ministry, expressed delight at the tremendous response from American audiences, emphasizing the growing allure of Korea in the United States. With the increasing scale of American tourists' interest in the nation, the ministry is buoyed by their ambition to further expand Korean tourism. Looking ahead, plans are already underway for the K-Tourism Roadshow event in Los Angeles in August, as the allure of Korea continues to captivate the hearts of U.S. tourists.

As the K-Tourism Roadshow in New York comes to a close, the remarkable turnout and enthusiastic reception serve as a testament to Korea's vibrant cultural heritage and its contemporary appeal. The nation's extraordinary journey to become a leading global tourist destination is marked by efforts like the K-Tourism Roadshow, showcasing Korea's rich tapestry of traditions, modern wonders, and irresistible charm to the world.

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