Korea Tourism Organization
Encyclopedia
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is a statutory organization of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism
and is commissioned to promote the country's tourism
industry.
responsible for the Korean Tourism industry according to International Tourism Corporation Act.
The organization primarily promotes Korea as a tourist destination to attract foreign tourists. Starting in the 1980s, domestic tourism promotion also became an important function of the KTO. Increased living standards , increased disposable income, and enhanced public transportation systems have contributed to increasing public tourism demand. By following current tourism trends, the KTO helps develop tourism in Korea.
Inbound visitors totaled over 6 million in 2006 and the tourism
industry is said to be one of the factors that has influences on Korean economy.
Ministry of Culture and Tourism
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea is a central government agency responsible for the areas of tourism, culture, art, religion, and sports. It has two vice ministers, three assistant ministers, one commission, and over 60 divisions...
and is commissioned to promote the country's tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
industry.
Overview
The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) was first established in 1962 as a government-invested corporationCorporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
responsible for the Korean Tourism industry according to International Tourism Corporation Act.
The organization primarily promotes Korea as a tourist destination to attract foreign tourists. Starting in the 1980s, domestic tourism promotion also became an important function of the KTO. Increased living standards , increased disposable income, and enhanced public transportation systems have contributed to increasing public tourism demand. By following current tourism trends, the KTO helps develop tourism in Korea.
Inbound visitors totaled over 6 million in 2006 and the tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
industry is said to be one of the factors that has influences on Korean economy.
History of KTO
- 1961 : The Tourism Promotion Law is enacted.
- 1962 : The International Tourism Corporation (ITC) is established and given the responsibility for promoting Korea’s undeveloped tourism industry through the direct management of some major hotels, taxis and the Korea Travel Bureau, as well as by training human resources to support the travel trade.
- 1968 : The number of foreign visitors passes the 100,000 mark.
- 1969 : The Hotel Institute is opened. The first overseas office opens in Tokyo.
- 1971 : Development of Bomun Lake Resort in GyeongjuGyeongjuGyeongju is a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang province in South Korea. It is the second largest city by area in the province after Andong, covering with a population of 269,343 people according to the 2008 census. Gyeongju is southeast of Seoul, and east of the...
begins. - 1978 : Korea attracts over one million foreign visitors.
- 1982 : The International Tourism Corporation is renamed as Korea National Tourism Corporation (KNTC).
- 1988 : The number of foreign visitors passes over two-million.
- 1991 : The number of foreign visitors passes over three-million.
- 1996 : The company’s name is changed from Korea National Tourism Corporation to Korea National Tourism Organization.
- 1998 : KumgangsanKumgangsanKŭmgangsan , Geumgangsan, or Mount Geumgang is a -high mountain in Kangwon-do, North Korea. Its name means "a firm heart in the face of truth". It is about 50 km away from South Korea's Sokcho in Gangwon-do. It is one of the best-known mountains in North Korea...
Diamond Mountains tour begins. - 2000 : Korea attracts over 5 million foreign visitors.
- 2003 : Kumgangsan Diamond Mountains land route tour begins. Hallyu (Korea Wave) becomes the major theme of the KTO's overseas marketing.
- 2005 : KTO reshuffles its organizational structure into 6 divisions. KTO introduces its new corporate identity. Korea attracts over 6.5 million visitors from abroad.
Functions
- Promotion to attract inbound tourists
- Research and develop tourism technology to nurture tourism industry as new engine for the economic growth of Korea: domestic tourism and neo tourism are concepts and terminologies developed by Korea tourism Organization
- Cooperation with the local government & the tourism industries
- Resort development and consulting
See also
- Tourism in South KoreaTourism in South KoreaTourism in South Korea refers to the tourist industry in the Republic of Korea. In 2007, 6.4 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 36th most visited country in the world, and this number is expected to exceed 8.5 million in 2010. Most non-Korean tourists come from Japan,...
- Tourism in GyeongjuTourism in GyeongjuTourism in Gyeongju is a major industry and defining feature of Gyeongju, South Korea. Gyeongju is today a major cultural site and tourist destination for South Koreans and foreigners with about 8 to 9 million visitors annually...
- South KoreaSouth KoreaThe Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
- Korean waveKorean waveThe Korean Wave, also known as the Hallyu , refers to spread of South Korean culture around the world. The term was coined in China in mid-1999 by Beijing journalists surprised by the fast growing popularity of Korean entertainment and culture in China...
- Dynamic Korea national brand encouraged by South Korean government