SMG, STO Offer Programs to Promote Seoul for ‘Seoul Tour Month’

Posters to promote June 16 to July 23, “Seoul Tour Month” during which diverse Seoul tour promotions have been unveiled. (Photos: STO)

Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) and Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) have designated one month from June 16 to July 23 as “Seoul Tour Month” during which diverse Seoul tour promotions have been unveiled.

The move is designed to spur tourism following the lifting of social distancing regulations against the COVID-19 pandemic and restore the tourism market.

SMG and STO operate “Heart Comforting Program” targeting all Seoulites and medical staff who have managed to overcome difficulties caused by the pandemic. The program, held under the theme “Nature, Healing and Curing,” offers five theme tour products with a focus on Seoul’s representative hotspots, such as the beauty of nature, historic value, and Seoul’s night views.

One of the products under the program is “Afternoon in the Forests,” taking tourists on a retreat, and a book café at Inwangsan, in which tea therapy is experienced with the background of nature.

In 2020, two guard posts, which stood at the foot of Inwangsan mountain for half a century, were converted into Inwang Guard Post Forest Retreat and Inwangsan Guard Post-Book café.

They underwent renovations and an extension, using remnants from the old guard post to devise a contrast to the contemporary structure with a novel sense of transparency and openness.

“Sukjeongmun Gate Herb Therapy” is a special wellness trek activity in which Lee Jeong-hwa, Seoul travel curator, guides a group along the Baegak section of the gates of Hanyang, ancient Seoul, in which smells, tastes and colors curing effects are experienced.

“Deoksu Palace Streaming with Music” is a night tour at Deoksu Palace, in which tourists can learn Seoul’s historic value and experience the palace’s cozy romance, wonderful moments and music, along with a historical narrator.

“Sunset in Han River” is a tour product in which tourists ride a yacht in the Han River, near their daily life, and experience a wonderful sunset and a traditional Korean cuisine.

“Renewal, City and People” is a tour to Oil Tank Culture Park, Seoul’s representative urban renewal structures, and Haneul Park, one of Seoul’s representative sunset spots, in which a different type of yoga and meditation are experienced.

This program is being pitched as an opportunity to regenerate the heart and mind, fatigued by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The products will be sold to medical staffs preferentially. Fees range from 10,000 won to 30,000 won per person.

SMG and STO will offer “Workation Program,” catering to Seoul-based companies. Workation is a new work format in which people work and enjoy vacation at a retreat, instead of their home office.

Participants of the program, targeting companies employing home office and remote workers, are offered a one-night and two-day stay, a meal coupon and regional tour programs such as Deoksu Palace and Inwangsan trekking.

Workation Program is designed to introduce Seoul’s tourism hotspots. Office space is arranged so that participants can concentrate on work. Up to 10 persons of each company can be allowed to participate in the program. It charges 100,000 won per person.

Applications on Heart Comforting Program and Workation Program can be made via the official website of the Seoul Tour Month (travelweek.visitkorea.or.kr). The products will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis form June 13.

Yoon Hee-chun, director in tourism policy at the SMG, said “I hope people will have time off to cure the body and the heart, departing from the tired daily routine and give me a special one day.”

Yoon called for people’s interest and participation in the programs of the Seoul Travel Month, in which the city’s attractions and values can be celebrated.