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- First, thank you for taking the time to be interviewed by Travellive. Could you share what major festivals or events will be held in Kyungsang Bukdo Province in 2017?
According to the designation of the Korean government, this year in Kyungsang Bukdo Province there are four main festivals as follows: the International Fireworks Festival in Pohang City, the Pottery Festival in Munkyung City, the Bonghwa Fishing Festival, and the Koryung Daegaya Cultural Experience Festival.
In addition, from March to November, each locality also has 14 other diverse seasonal festivals.
- Knowing that Kyungsang Bukdo is touted as a place with many historical and cultural sites, is it convenient for FIT (Foreign Direct Investment) visitors to travel there? Is the prefecture implementing a single-use pass that can be used as both an entrance ticket to tourist attractions and a ticket for public transportation?
FIT tourists using city buses or KTX high-speed trains from Daegu Airport or Kimhae Airport in Busan will take approximately one hour to reach Kyungju City, a characteristic tourist area of Kyungsang Bukdo Province.
Furthermore, we have updated the FIT travel guide for individual travelers visiting Kyungsang Bukdo Province. If individual travelers use this guide, they can explore all areas using the public transportation available in Kyungsang Bukdo Province.
Especially in the tourist city of Kyungju, the city bus system is very flexible, making it a very convenient option for individual tourists. In addition, tourists can access the prefecture's tourism website to find more useful information for their trip. Regarding the combined travel pass, during the Korean summer (spring and autumn), Kyungsang Bukdo Prefecture offers many promotions such as shopping vouchers, hotel deals, and equipment for tourist experiences. We are planning to implement a combined travel pass in the future.
- Besides historical landmarks, Kyungsang Bukdo Province also boasts delicious food and plenty of shopping opportunities. So, what are some must-try dishes? And what are some must-buy souvenirs?
Kimbap is a quintessential Korean dish, and in Kyungsang Bukdo province, Kyochon village in Kyungju city is particularly famous for Kyori kimbap, considered one of the three best kimbap places in Korea. This is a popular kimbap shop where even Koreans queue up to buy kimbap. If you visit Andong, you'll find numerous shops selling Andong-style braised chicken, forming a whole alley known as the "Braised Chicken Alley." Here, tourists can not only enjoy delicious braised chicken but also witness the preparation process firsthand. Right next to the braised chicken alley is MAMMOTH bakery, highly recommended for its delicious cheesecake, definitely worth trying.
Source: Internet
Regarding shopping, we recommend the following items for tourists to buy as gifts: Kyodong Kyungju traditional herbal wine, Andong soju, and Munkyung five-flavor wine. We have introduced you to the characteristic dishes of Andong and Kyungju, as well as shopping options. Kyungsang Bukdo Province has 23 districts and cities, each with its own diverse and rich specialties and typical dishes.
- South Korea has four distinct seasons. I wonder what the four seasons are like in Kyungsang Bukdo Province? And which season is the best time to visit Kyungsang Bukdo?
Kyungsang Bukdo also has four distinct seasons. Spring is the season of new beginnings, summer is lush with greenery, autumn sees maple leaves turn red, and winter brings a blanket of snow. The best time to visit Korea is usually in spring when flowers bloom and the weather is warm, or in autumn when the leaves begin to change color beautifully. Furthermore, during these times, various festivals are held in different parts of Kyungsang Bukdo, allowing tourists to experience tourist attractions, scenic spots, and typical local cuisine.
- What are the leaders' plans to attract visitors from Vietnam this year?
We can see that in many countries, Vietnam and South Korea have seen a continuous increase in the number of tourists traveling between them.
With 250,000 Vietnamese tourists – a 55% increase compared to 2016 – we proceeded to sign agreements with key Vietnamese travel companies to jointly plan the development of tourism products in Kyungsang Bukdo province, creating tours that Vietnamese tourists will enjoy the most, boosting local tourism promotion, and attracting even more tourists to Kyungsang Bukdo province.
- Following the signing of the MOU between state-owned tourism enterprises in Kyungsang Bukdo province and Vietnamese tourism companies, what marketing strategies will be implemented in Vietnam?
For example: itineraries for tour programs or promotional offers?
Through this agreement, we intend to strengthen support for promoting local tourism (in Vietnam) along with Kyungbuk tourism programs and tours for visiting relatives to Vietnamese travel companies.
Furthermore, in addition to Kyungju, we will develop tour programs to Andong, Munkyung, and Youngduk so that Vietnamese tourists can experience Kyungbuk in a more novel way.
Currently, in Kyungsang Bukdo province, if Vietnamese tourists visit Kyungbuk, we will offer various promotions on accommodation, experiences, and transportation costs.
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with Travellive. Have a wonderful day!
