Kolkata, Kochi, Chennai, and Bengaluru Events Strengthen Korea’s Presence in the Indian Outbound Market
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) India has successfully concluded the first leg of its ambitious four-city Korea Tourism Roadshow 2025, held across April and May in key Indian metros. Designed to strengthen Korea’s presence in India’s outbound tourism market, the series made impactful stops in Chennai (April 23), Bengaluru (April 25), Kolkata (May 21), and Kochi (May 23).
Each city hosted a robust lineup of over 10 Destination Management Companies (DMCs) from Korea, who engaged directly with India’s top-tier travel professionals through dedicated B2B Travel Marts and the signature K-Gala Nights, a cultural and culinary celebration of Korea’s vibrant identity.
Building Cultural Bridges Through Trade
The roadshows marked a strategic outreach by KTO India into southern and eastern Indian markets, aiming to forge new partnerships and reinforce Korea’s positioning as a diverse, experience-rich travel destination. Travel agents across leisure, luxury, FIT, and GIT segments took part in immersive destination presentations and face-to-face networking sessions that laid the groundwork for future collaborations.
In Kolkata and Kochi, participants were treated to a dynamic performance by The Painters, a globally acclaimed Korean art performance troupe known for blending visual storytelling with live art and theatre. Their show served as a cultural highlight of the roadshows, drawing widespread applause and underlining Korea’s creative appeal beyond traditional tourism.
A Personal Touch to Korean Hospitality
Speaking on the success of the roadshow series, Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India & SAARC Countries at KTO, stated:
“Our goal through these roadshows has been to create meaningful, long-term relationships with the Indian travel trade and to showcase Korea’s evolving offerings in a fresh and culturally immersive way. We are grateful for the overwhelming response in all four cities and remain committed to supporting our trade partners in expanding Korea’s footprint in India’s outbound travel landscape.”
Each event featured a Korea-themed promotional booth, inspired by the country’s traditional markets, where guests experienced the richness of Korean street food and local snacks — a nod to the culinary authenticity that increasingly draws Indian travellers to Korea.
Strategic Collaborations and Future Focus
The success of the 2025 roadshows affirms KTO India’s continued focus on deepening bilateral tourism ties and building a solid framework for future growth. As in-person travel trade engagements make a strong return post-pandemic, the human connection and cultural storytelling emphasized in these events are key to shaping destination preference in competitive outbound markets like India.
With future engagements already in the pipeline, KTO India remains committed to expanding Korea’s visibility through targeted activations, trade support, and cultural diplomacy — ensuring Korea is not just a destination, but a compelling story waiting to be explored.
