Korea Prepares to Resume Tourism with New International Travel Expo

Korea will debut a brand new comprehensive travel expo, Korea International Travel Expo <https://www.kite2021.com> (KITE 2021), combining four Korea tourism events under MICE, Korea Travel, Luxury Travel and Medical Wellness sectors this coming June 29 – July 13, 2021. The hybrid event kicks-off on June 29th with an Opening Ceremony held at the Gateway to Korea - Paradise City Hotel, Incheon, sending out a message of hope for the resumption of international tourism.

Presenting itself as a new ‘One-stop Travel Expo’, KITE 2021 will provide an overview of Korea tourism in preparation for the restart of inbound tourism. Attending delegates can expect to discover the latest information on Korea tourism in the four sectors, engage in 1:1 video business consultation with Korean sellers through a new online platform, and gain insight into post-Covid-19 tourism in Korea through various conference programs.  

The Opening Ceremony, to be held offline at Paradise City Hotel, Incheon, with live online streaming available for overseas attendees, will highlight Korea’s Night Tourism contents with a full line-up of programs including keynote speeches by speakers Burkhard Kieker (CEO of Berlin Tourism and Congress), Chang Chee Pey (Assistant Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board) and British actress Joanna Lumley. Burkhard Kieker will be flying in from Berlin to join the event live in person, while Chang Chee Pey and Joanna Lumley will join via hologram from Singapore and London to discuss strategies for the resumption and revitalization of international tourism post-Covid-19. Additional programs include a special longboard performance by Korean longboarder Ko Hyojoo, plus a nighttime drone show to end the night.

Over a period of two weeks, KITE 2021 will provide a virtual gathering space for 1,500 Domestic and Overseas Buyers and thousands of visitors to network and connect with local service providers, including RTOs, CVBs, travel agencies, hotels, luxury travel companies, convention centers, medical institutions and more.

The event kicks-off with the Korea MICE Expo from June 29 – July 2, with a MICE Roadshow, RTO/CVB Showcase, and Meeting Technology Pitching. The event continues with the Korea Travel Mart from July 5 – 7, where delegates can expect to find special discounts of virtual Korea travel products, early bird flight tickets to Korea, plus a live travel talk show with a K-pop star, and online Fam Tour for overseas buyers.

The Korea Luxury Travel Mart will take place from July 8 – 9, with a Luxury Tourism Conference and a virtual Fam Tour showcasing luxury tourism facilities and contents. The expo will conclude with the Korea Medical Wellness Tourism Fair from July 12 – 13, with a Medical Wellness Tourism Conference, virtual wellness experience program, and medical consultations for overseas delegates.

The Korea Tourism Organization invites industry professionals to come and join us for the Korea International Travel Expo. Discover Korea’s offerings for travel post-Covid-19 and meet with local exhibitors to learn about new attractions and experiences in Korea. Make Korea your first international destination back post-Covid-19. For inquiries, send us an email at mice@knto.or.kr.