Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), in collaboration with the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), successfully hosted the Korea Tourism Roadshow in Mumbai on 14 February, 2025, reinforcing its commitment to the Indian travel trade and presenting key programs aimed at further boosting Indian tourist arrivals to South Korea.
Mr. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, KTO, said: “South Korea’s growing popularity among Indian travellers is a testament to the strong partnership we share with the Indian travel trade. With evolving traveller preferences and increasing demand for unique experiences, we are committed to providing our partners with tailored support, from exclusive training programs to performance-based incentives.”
Talking about the Roadshow in Mumbai, Mr. Himanshu Patil, President, OTOAI, said, “This partnership between OTOAI and KTO has the potential to significantly boost outbound tourism from India to Korea, unlocking opportunities for both travel operators and tourists. With the rising popularity of Korean entertainment in India and the increasing awareness of the country’s rich cultural heritage and unique culinary experiences, Indian tourists are showing greater interest in visiting Korea. Additionally, the growing popularity of Korean beauty products in the Indian market has led to an increase in enquiries for tours that include beauty experiences, further highlighting the diverse interests of Indian travellers. This roadshow was a great opportunity for our members to gain in-depth knowledge of Korea and enhancing their ability to create seamless travel experiences for their clients.”
In addition to the MICE Support and Korea Premium Travel Consultant (KPTC) Program, KTO has unveiled the Designated Travel Agency Program, a strategic initiative under the K-Incentive Scheme 3.0, designed to recognize and support travel agencies actively promoting South Korea.
Under this program, participating agencies will develop Korea-specific travel packages incorporating at least one local city beyond Seoul, such as Busan, Gangwon-do, Jeollanam-do, or Jeollabuk-do. Travel agents must submit a detailed proposal outlining their itinerary, marketing plan, and visa facilitation strategy.
Selected agencies will receive direct visa support, promotional assistance, and exclusive rewards. Top-performing agencies will be rewarded based on their overall sales performance, with special recognition at the end of the year.
For more details and participation guidelines, agents can access the official document here: www.bit.ly/KTODesignatedTravelAgency
With 176,668 Indian visitors traveling to South Korea in 2024—a remarkable 44% increase from the previous year—KTO continues to focus on equipping its trade partners with enhanced tools and incentives to sustain this momentum.
With a global target of 18.5 million visitors for 2025, KTO has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 250,000 Indian travellers this year. As it continues to deepen engagement with the Indian travel trade, KTO remains committed to enhancing resources, streamlining travel processes, and offering innovative marketing initiatives to make South Korea a top outbound destination for Indian travellers.
