Myong Kil Yun
The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) recently held a high-profile roadshow in New Delhi, bringing together travel trade professionals to showcase South Korea’s tourism offerings and introduce the Korea Premium Travel Consultant (KPTC) Programme. The event, aimed at deepening engagement with India’s travel trade, highlighted Korea’s diverse destinations, cultural experiences, and strategic partnerships with travel agencies across India.
Organised in collaboration with the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the roadshow sought to strengthen tourism cooperation between India and South Korea, while equipping travel agents with the tools and knowledge to promote Korea as a preferred destination for Indian travellers.
In his welcome address, Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC Countries at KTO, emphasised the growing importance of India in Korea’s tourism strategy. “Through our close cooperation with TAAI and the Indian travel trade community, we hope to further strengthen tourism exchange between India and Korea,” Yun stated. He also highlighted Korea’s robust recovery following the pandemic and noted the sustained interest from Indian travellers, driven in part by the global popularity of Korean culture. “Korea is no longer just a destination people see on screen. It is a place they truly want to explore,” he added.
Representatives from TAAI reinforced their support for promoting Korea in India. Rajan Sehgal, Member of the Managing Committee of TAAI and Chairman for Public Relations & Allied Services, said the association’s extensive network across India would continue to facilitate tourism promotion initiatives. “Indians are always travel-hungry and looking for new destinations,” Sehgal noted, adding that travel between India and Korea has grown significantly in recent years for tourism, business, and other purposes.
Neeraj Malhotra, Chairman of TAAI’s North Region, emphasised the importance of ongoing collaboration between tourism authorities and the travel trade, suggesting that faster visa processing could further streamline travel planning for Indian visitors.
KTO officials delivered an in-depth presentation on Korea as a travel destination and formally introduced the Korea Premium Travel Consultant (KPTC) Programme. The initiative is designed to train and certify travel agents as Korean tourism specialists, equipping them with in-depth knowledge of destinations, cultural experiences, and travel itineraries. Key destinations highlighted included Seoul, Busan, Jeju Island, along with Korea’s cultural heritage, cuisine, and natural landscapes.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Yun shared insights on the growing number of Indian visitors to Korea. “Last year, nearly 200,000 Indian travellers visited Korea. For 2026, we are expecting around 250,000 visitors from India,” he said. He further elaborated that KTO is expanding its promotional strategy in India beyond roadshows, collaborating with travel agencies to create tailored travel packages and promoting destinations beyond Seoul, such as Gyeongju, Gangwon Province, Jeonnam Province, and Busan. Additionally, KTO plans to partner with well-known local brands, including food and beverage companies, for joint marketing campaigns.
Through initiatives like the KPTC Programme and strengthened partnerships with travel trade professionals, KTO aims to enhance Korea’s presence in the Indian outbound tourism market, offering Indian travellers a comprehensive experience of the country’s culture, heritage, and natural landscapes.
