Korea Helps Local Businesses Sell to Foreign Tourists via Global OTAs
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Korea’s inbound tourism is recovering faster than expected, with 15% more foreign visitors through October and steady monthly demand. But many local firms — small tour operators, medical and beauty providers, and experience businesses — struggle to meet global OTA (Online Travel Agency) standards like multilingual descriptions, refund policies, image quality and booking systems. To close that gap, the Korea Tourism Organization launched an “Inbound Marketing Support Service,” holding six regional briefings that drew 307 companies. The program helps firms package products, standardize procedures, and prepare for platform entry. Early results include new sales inquiries for a Busan tour operator via KKday and collaboration talks for a Taekwondo program with Thai agents. Experts say Korea still needs stronger digital, operational and language infrastructure to compete with peers such as Singapore, Japan and Taiwan. The Tourism Organization plans expanded training and layered support next year to boost local firms’ global readiness.
