The Korea Herald

Korea’s tourism growth may slow next year

Korea has seen double-digit growth in tourism over the last couple of years, with record annual growth of 11.3 percent last year, and is on track to welcome over 12 million visitors this year. But the strong Korean currency and changes in the political dynamics in Northeast Asia may put a stop to the fast growth next year, experts suggest. Korea earned 1.4 billion won ($1.3 million) from tourism in the January to October period, a 25 percent increase form the same period last year.According to t

Dec. 26, 2013

[Best Brand] Oakwood Premier Coex Center upgrades serviced residence

Oakwood Premier Coex CenterServiced Residence/World Wide/Oakwood Premier COEX CenterThe Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul aims to upgrade its sophistication and luxury with the extensive renovation of its apartments. The serviced residence has undertaken a renovation project 11 years after opening. With the first phase just completed, giving a fresh look to the rooms, the second phase is expected to finish by April 2014 and will transform the overall ambience of the residence from classic to chi

Dec. 26, 2013

[Best Brand] Imperial Palace strives for supreme services for working professionals

The lobby of Imperial Palace SeoulOn top of being a landmark in the city, Imperial Palace Seoul aims to offer the best environment and services for working professionals from home and abroad. The hotel celebrates its 24th anniversary this year.Located in the central business and cultural district of Gangnam in southern Seoul, the property, known as one of the best business hotels in Korea, contains 430 guest rooms and suites including the Royal Suite as well as two-storied duplex suites. Each gu

Dec. 26, 2013

Bethlehem eyes tourist boom after dark decade

BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories (AFP) ― After a decade of unrest, Bethlehem has seen a surge in visits to Christ’s traditional birthplace, raising hopes of a tourism bonanza in the West Bank town despite Israel’s separation barrier.The Palestinian territories’ top tourist destination is a victim of the barrier which cuts off the town from nearby Jerusalem, just 10 kilometers away. Israel began work on its sprawling barrier ― dubbed the “apartheid wall” by Palestinians ― in 2002 at the height

Dec. 23, 2013

2014 travel: Sochi, Brazil, Berlin, Sarajevo

NEW YORK (AP) ― The Olympics, the World Cup and commemorations of World War I, D-Day and the fall of the Berlin Wall are some of the events that will spotlight destinations like Sochi, Brazil, Sarajevo, Normandy and Berlin in 2014.Elsewhere abroad, a potentially game-changing high-speed rail service has just launched linking Paris and Barcelona. Some travelers may now prefer the train over a plane, with the train ride cut in half to just over six hours between the two cities.Back in the U.S., St

Dec. 20, 2013

2014 travel: Sochi, Brazil, Berlin, Sarajevo

Winter festivals to light up holiday season

For travelers looking to tough it out in the frigid winter temperatures, there are a number of worthwhile winter festivals where visitors can experience a wide range of snow and winter-fun activities whether it be ice-fishing, sledding or even ice soccer. The Pyeongchang Trout Festival is one of the most popular winter festivals, and is held annually in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province ― known for having one of the coldest, snowiest winters in Korea. Because of the region’s frigid climate and clear

Dec. 20, 2013

Winter festivals to light up holiday season

The Korea Grand Sale kicks off Jan. 3 through Feb. 16

The Korea Grand Sale runs from Jan. 3 until Feb. 16 throughout Korea. The annual sales event offers discounts on shopping and special offers at hotels and department stores. This year’s event includes the participation of 118 duty free shops, shopping malls, outlets, large supermarkets and theaters, along with 17 traditional markets. A total of 27,291 stores will provide discounts of up to 50 percent. During the sales period, 23 hotels in Korea will offer an extra one-night stay for foreign tour

Dec. 20, 2013

Hello Kitty museum opens in Jeju

A museum dedicated to Hello Kitty has opened on Jejudo Island. The museum featuring “everything about Hello Kitty” presents various products and a 3-D animated film, which will get its world premiere at the museum. “The museum focused on providing a fun program that visitors of all generations can enjoy. It offers a new experience as many of the programs will involve physical activities,” said Kim Jong-seok, founder of the museum. The museum features some of the most diverse products in the giga

Dec. 20, 2013

Culinary-themed hotel opens in Tampa

TAMPA, Florida (AP) ― In the past, the Tampa Bay region hasn’t been high on a foodie’s travel bucket list. Sure, there are some tasty Cuban sandwiches in Tampa and fresh grouper in restaurants along the Gulf of Mexico. But cutting-edge culinary trends haven’t surfaced here ― until now. The Epicurean Hotel, a $35 million, 137-room hotel, opened on Tuesday. The entire concept revolves around food: There’s an 80-seat restaurant, patisserie, culinary theater, wine store, rooftop bar and cooking clas

Dec. 20, 2013

Nirvana, Kiss join Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― Nirvana swept into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in its first year of eligibility, the musical museum said, welcoming it and other groups like glam outfit Kiss.Peter Gabriel, Hall and Oates, Cat Stevens and Linda Ronstadt join Nirvana and Kiss ― known for Gene Simmons’ famously wagging tongue ― among the new members announced Monday. They will be inducted next year.The Cleveland, Ohio institution said Brian Epstein, manager of the Beatles from 1962 until his death in 1967, wi

Dec. 18, 2013

Koreans pick France as dream travel spot

Koreans have chosen France and Australia as their most desired travel destinations, but with short vacation days, they settle for Hong Kong/Macao, China and Japan as realistic travel spots.According to a recent tourism trend survey conducted by the Korea Tourism Organization, France was voted the top destination that Koreans wished to visit if given more money and days off, followed by Australia, the mainland U.S., Hawaii and Italy. The survey was conducted among 1,000 Koreans aged 18 and over w

Dec. 18, 2013

Koreans pick France as dream travel spot

The essence of Indonesia

YOGYAKARTA/BALI, INDONESIA ― For many travelers, Indonesia still remains one of the favorite destinations for a vacation, honeymoon or recreational holiday, mainly because of the burgeoning resort industry in Bali. The world’s fourth-most populous country, with over 238 million and an archipelago comprising about 17,508 islands, however, has recently begun promoting its cultural and historical legacy to travelers coming from around the world. If you are planning on spending a winter vacation in

Dec. 13, 2013

Luxury resorts still key in boosting Bali’s reputation

BALI, INDONESIA ― Bali has long been one of the favorite honeymoon destinations, not only for Koreans, but also for other newlyweds around the world. The secret behind its reputation as a haven for honeymooners is that it has hundreds of luxurious, modern and private villas and resorts across the island at relatively reasonable prices ― when compared to other highly sought-after locations such as the Maldives and Hawaii. Ayana Resort and Spa, located on Bali’s southwest coast, is one of the lead

Dec. 13, 2013

Luxury resorts still key in boosting Bali’s reputation

Vivaldi Park opens sledding hill, new mid-level ski slope

Vivaldi Park ski resort opened a sledding hill and another mid-level ski slope Friday. The new sledding spot, 130 meters long and 40 meters wide, is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with ticket prices varying depending on the age and the duration of use. Children ages 4 to 7 must be accompanied by parents on the hill. Those under 3 and adults aged over 55 are not allowed to enter. The resort offers discounts of up to 50 percent on the use of lifts and ski rentals if online reservations are made in ad

Dec. 13, 2013

Lotte Hotel Seoul nabs Seoul, MICE travel awards

Lotte Hotel Seoul has won in the category of Best Hotel in Seoul in Global Traveler’s GT Tested Awards on Tuesday. The hotel has won the award for the second straight year. The travel magazine picks the winning hotels based on reviews by business travelers and its readers. Lotte Hotel Seoul also came second in the category of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions ― or MICE ― beating other prominent hotels like Marina Bay Sands in Singapore and Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong.“We are deeply

Dec. 13, 2013

Yoga room opens at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport

CHICAGO (AP) ― Find your zen, air travelers: Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport now has a yoga room.The Chicago Department of Aviation announced Tuesday that the airport yoga room is open on the mezzanine level of the Terminal 3 rotunda at O’Hare. The department also plans to open a yoga room at the city’s Midway International Airport in the near future.Aviation commissioner Rosemarie Andolino calls the yoga room an “oasis for passengers.”The 15-foot by 16-foot room has sustainable bamboo wo

Dec. 13, 2013

Christmas and New Year’s Eve retreats at hotels

With Christmas just around the corner, hotels in Seoul, decked in lavish Christmas decorations, are gearing up to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day with luxurious accommodation and dinner packages. Splendid Christmas decorations greet guests in the lobbies and restaurants, raising the festive spirits. Many of the city’s five-star hotels boast of their own unique Christmas decorations and Millennium Seoul Hilton’s 18-year-long decorating tradition ― featuring a Christmas tree 10 meters high

Dec. 11, 2013

Christmas and New Year’s Eve retreats at hotels

An island of Buddhist pilgrimage

Sri Lanka has for centuries seduced travelers and traders alike with its pristine palm-fringed beaches and reports of majestic elephants, spices and precious stones.Its natural beauty and diversity has for years placed the island nation on the travel industry’s list of must-see destinations.One look and the reason is clear: Its coasts are ribbed with idyllic beaches; its lowland jungles are rich with wild elephants, colorful birds and monkeys; and its misty hill country is blanketed in immaculat

Dec. 6, 2013

Seoul certifies tour products to improve travel experience for foreigners

Seoul aims to prove that the city has much more to offer beyond the usual travel routines through palaces, shopping districts and barbecue restaurants. The Seoul Metropolitan Government launched a tour product certification system last year that rates the quality of group tour programs in an effort to ensure that foreign tourists leave the country satisfied and consider coming back again. The certification has selected nine tour products that satisfy standards of the certification, which include

Dec. 6, 2013

Seoul certifies tour products to improve travel experience for foreigners

Airline to offer nonstop Boston-Beijing flights

BOSTON (AP) ― A Chinese airline plans to offer the first direct service from Boston to Beijing, beginning next June.Hainan Airlines made the announcement at the Massachusetts Statehouse on Tuesday.The airline will offer four direct, nonstop flights a week in each direction between Boston and Beijing on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with connections offered to other cities in China, including Shanghai.It will be the first direct service ever from Boston to mainland China, shaving about six hours off

Dec. 6, 2013