Lee Boo-jin smiles brightly at Incheon Airport… I hope this is the start of a pleasant journey

Lee Boo-jin, chairman of the Visit Korea Year Committee (Visit Committee), said on the 26th, “I would like to convey a warm message of welcome to foreign tourists at Incheon International Airport, the starting point of travel to Korea.”

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held an opening event for the welcome week commemorating the ‘2024 Visit Korea Year’ at Incheon International Airport on this day. Attending the event on this day were Chairman Lee, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran, Incheon International Airport Corporation President Lee Hak-jae, and girl group Fromis Nine.

This welcome week will run until the 10th of next month for foreign tourists visiting Korea during golden holidays such as Japan’s Golden Week and China’s Labor Day.

The goal is to set up welcome booths at Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae, and Jeju International Airports, which are entry points, and operate various prize giveaways and photo zones themed on traditional Korean genre paintings.

In addition, foreign tourists will receive a ‘welcome bag’ containing various discount coupons and souvenirs prepared in collaboration with 31 shopping and lodging companies.

Vice Minister Jang said, “The number of foreign tourists visiting Korea between January and February more than doubled compared to the same period last year, and our tourism market is also regaining vitality faster than before.”

He continued, “The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism plans to hold the ‘K-Pop Playground’ linking major regional tourist attractions and festivals next month and the ‘Korea Beauty Festival’ in June so that more foreign tourists can visit Korea and enjoy various K-culture. “It’s a plan,” he said.

Chairman Lee said, “We prepared this event to deliver a warm welcome message to foreign tourists and give them the start of a pleasant trip at Incheon International Airport, the starting point of their trip to Korea,” and added, “We hope that everyone who visits Korea will have a memorable time.” “I sincerely hope you send it,” he said.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Visit Committee plan to operate a welcome week from September to October in conjunction with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day of Chinese countries.

Lee Mi-na, Hankyung.com reporter [email protected]