924 domestic and foreign tourism companies participate

The domestic tourism market is picking up. The inbound market for foreigners visiting the domestic tourism market, which had been in a slump due to COVID-19, is expanding again. In particular, the strength of the U.S. dollar, which led to the won's depreciation, is also playing a big role.

In fact, last weekend, Myeong-dong and Itaewon, which represent the Seoul tourism market, were crowded with overseas tourists. In addition, the demand for overseas tourists increased further in the first half of last year at S Duty Free and D Duty Free.

According to the Ministry of Justice, 335,958 foreigners visited Korea in August, but it is nearly four times higher than the 89,754 in January this year when COVID-19 did not go away.

In line with this, Choi Kyung-joo, director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's tourism and sports bureau, said on the 25th, "(Seoul) will rebuild the domestic and foreign tourism industry network to preoccupy overseas travel demand."

Director Choi explained, "We will open a venue for tourism industry exchanges on the largest scale in Korea to welcome domestic and foreign tourism industry guests in earnest."

Accordingly, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Foundation will hold the 2022 Seoul International Travel Mart (SITM) and the 2022 Seoul Medical Tourism International Travel Mart (SITMMT) at COEX in Samseong-dong, Seoul, for five days from the 27th to October 1. It has been three years since the outbreak of COVID-19.

This year, the International Travel Mart decided to hold a "General Tourism + Medical Tourism" in conjunction with the "General Tourism + Medical Tourism" to promote health and wellness (health care) in accordance with the periodic epidemic of infectious diseases.

924 domestic and foreign tourism companies will participate in Travel Mart. In particular, 140 buyers from 33 countries will be invited directly to Seoul for one-on-one face-to-face meetings with domestic sellers in the tourism sector. 611 companies will participate in △ Seoul International Travel Mart, and 313 companies will participate in △ Seoul Medical Tourism International Travel Mart.

One of the characteristics is that the Seoul tourism market has been diversified by expanding its targets not only in Asia, the main market, but also in Gumi and the Americas, the potential markets.

The main projects are △ 1 on 1 tourism company counseling session (B2B Travel Mart) △ Seoul tourism briefing session △ Seoul medical tourism international debate △ Seoul tourism promotion area.

First of all, the tourism company counseling committee consults with overseas buyers and domestic sellers on a one-on-one basis. Exchanges such as sharing trends in the tourism market, information on tourism products, corporate promotion, and establishment of a contact system will be held.

"Seoul International Travel Mart" will be attended by 221 overseas buyers (95 face-to-face on-site counseling) and 390 domestic sellers, with 1972 pre-consultations (PSA) scheduled.

"Seoul Medical Tourism International Travel Mart" will feature 114 overseas buyers (45 face-to-face on-site counseling) and 199 domestic sellers, with 885 pre-consultation (PSA) scheduled.

In addition, the consultation meeting for tourism companies will be held at the COEX Grand Ballroom for two days from the 27th to October 1st and on-site consultation from the 28th to the 29th. Mayor Oh Se-hoon will attend the opening ceremony on the 27th.