Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization are taking proactive steps to attract more foreign tourists by inviting key figures from overseas travel agencies, particularly those from China, for a pre-tour of the province's top attractions.

From February 17th to 21st, 24 representatives from major travel agencies in Shanghai, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu provinces of China were invited to a 5-day tour showcasing the best of Gyeonggi-do. This initiative aims to strengthen tourism ties with China, which currently leads in the number of foreign visitors to South Korea, and to highlight the region's safe and appealing travel environment.

The tour itinerary focused on Gyeonggi Province's unique attractions and experiences that are particularly popular among Chinese tourists. Participants were treated to a diverse range of activities, including:

Savoring local delicacies such as Suwon Wanggalbi (Suwon Ribs)
Trekking along the scenic Peace Nuri-gil DMZ Peace Trail
Experiencing the breathtaking 'Flying Suwon' hot air balloon ride
Immersing in Korean culture at the Korean Folk Village
Visiting the adorable panda family at Everland
Riding the Imjingak Peace Gondola with views of North Korea
Enjoying the coastal scenery on the Seohae Lang Jebudo Marine Cable Car
The Chinese travel agency representatives expressed their satisfaction with the tour, highlighting the opportunity to experience a variety of new and exciting activities. They believe this firsthand experience will be invaluable in developing attractive tour packages and boosting tourist numbers in the future.

Gyeonggi Province officials are optimistic that this initiative will not only promote the safety and appeal of Gyeonggi-do as a tourist destination in China but also encourage more foreign tourists to visit and create lasting memories.

The president of the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization emphasized the importance of this initiative, especially with the recent visa exemptions between China and South Korea. He believes that by allowing Chinese travel agencies to experience the diverse and unique offerings of Gyeonggi-do, they will be better equipped to develop innovative tour packages that cater to the evolving needs of Chinese travelers and contribute to the growth of tourism in the region.