Korea to launch ‘Spring Tourism Week’ in May


The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will launch its second Tourism Week program for the spring season nationwide next month.
The program, in partnership with some 3,000 tourism companies and operators, will run in 17 regions from May 1-14.
Companies such as resorts and hotels participating in the state-led tourism program will offer a variety of programs with discounts at tourist attractions, in accordance with the regions’ culture and landscape.
For instance, operators in Gangwon Province will have leisure sports tourism programs, while those in the southwest Jeolla region will have special events introducing local food.
Hanwha Resorts will offer lodging discounts of up to 40 percent, and transportation companies such as KT Rental and Korea Railroad will offer discounts from 25 percent to 65 percent to those traveling during Tourism Week. For more information, visit spring.visitkorea.or.kr.

Lotte Water Park reopens 


Lotte Water Park will reopen this weekend in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, after renovating its key facilities and outdoor rides.
To celebrate the park’s reopening, Lotte World, the theme park operator of retail giant Lotte Group, will hold various special discount events in partnership with credit card companies including Lotte Card, BC Card and Samsung Card.
Visitors accompanied by up to three family members or friends will be able to get 40 percent off tickets, depending on the number of their credit card bonus points. Those who pay by Samsung Card will enjoy a 40 percent discount, regardless of their gift points.
Lotte World revamped the theme park’s key rides and facilities such as outdoor pools to boost their safety and convenience.


Finnair to launch flights to Sweden’s tourist destinations


Finnair, Finland’s flag carrier, will launch flights between South Korea’s Incheon International Airport and Sweden’s vacation destinations this summer.
The airliner will operate flight services linking Incheon with Umea and Lulea in northern Sweden, Norrkoping in eastern Sweden and Visby in the country’s largest island of Gotland.
Finnair will provide daily flights from Incheon to Umea, Lulea and Norrkoping, and three flights a week to Visby.
Visitors will be able to travel to cultural towns and cities via Finland’s capital of Helsinki.
Sweden’s Lulea is widely known for its UNESCO World Heritage-designated Gammelstad Church Town, while Visby is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Norrkoping holds Sweden’s biggest music event -- Bravalla Festival -- annually. It will hold the festival between June 25 and 27 this year.


Gokseong International Rose Festival


Themed with “fragrance, love and dream,” the 5th International Rose Festival will be held from May 22-31 in the scenic River Seomjingang village in Gokseong, South Jeolla Province.
The festival will display lavish rose decorations using various kinds of roses from around the world. It will also offer cultural events and hands-on activities such as rose arrangement classes, flower art sessions and a rose photo contest.
Visitors can also enjoy rail bikes and a steam locomotive that tours around the festival venue. For more information, call (061) 360-8252.


Goyang International Flower Show


The annual international flower show will be held in Goyang from April 24 to May 10. This year’s event will take place at the Goyang Flower Exhibition Center, located in Ilsan Lake Park.
It brings together 320 horticulture businesses and experts from 35 countries to present diverse flower collections and decorations.
The event will also feature hands-on programs for visitors such as flower arrangement classes and making home decor items with flowers.
Admission is 10,000 won for adults. Online tickets with a 20 percent discount are available for purchase at www.flower.or.kr, or online shopping malls G Market and Auction.