TORONTO — The travel industry is getting another chance to get to know Youna Oh, Director for the Toronto office of the Korea Tourism Organization.

Oh is back in Toronto to head up the KTO office here, after an initial stint in Toronto during the pandemic.

Welcoming suppliers, trade media and more at last night’s dinner presentation at Bumpkin’s in downtown Toronto, Oh thanked all of KTO’s partners in this market, and promised plenty of co-op opportunities for 2025.

Next up, Hillary Nguyen, KTO Toronto’s Marketing Manager, had stats, marketing hooks and more.

The KTO is known for its tourism themes, and this year is no different, with a multifaceted focus on art travel, outdoor adventure, ‘Hallyu’ travel (for all the K-Pop fans out there), educational tourism, luxury travel and Green Korea, covering everything from vegan travel to eco tourism to sustainable travel.

Korea, like many countries, is working hard to promote hidden gems and less-visited regions, to guard against overtourism and get visitors experiencing Korea beyond Seoul. Key target destinations include Busan City and the provinces of Gangwon, Gyeongsangbuk, Jeollabuk and Jeollanam.

Addressing the suppliers in the audience, she said: “We’re very happy to see new tour products that promote new areas. We’re also very happy to promote multi-destination travel, including with other destinations in Asia like China, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. With long-haul travel it’s great to tack on two different destinations, or even more.”

Korea welcomed 254,332 Canadian visitors in 2024. “That’s a record number for us, and a 26% increase over 2023. Our target was 245,000 and this overshot that. We’re super happy with those numbers and we’re looking for another great year for Korea in 2025,” said Nguyen.

Here’s more good news: the K-ETA exemption has been extended for another year, to Dec. 31, 2025. “Canadian passport holders will not need an ETA to visit the country,” said Nguyen. “It’s still visa-free travel for up to 180 days, so you just need your passport, you can book and go. And Korea is still very easy and convenient to travel to, with direct flight service to Incheon (Seoul) with Air Canada from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, Korean Air from Toronto and Vancouver, and WestJet from Calgary.”

Korea is also a very safe and convenient travel destination, she added, with low crime rates and safe streets. The country is also world-famous for its cuisine.

Spring is a special time of year in Korea, with spring blooms dazzling locals and visitors alike starting in late March / early April. Upcoming highlights of the spring season include the Damyang Bamboo Festival, the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival and the Boseong Green Tea Festival.

Korea’s hidden gems, meanwhile, include Yangnim History & Culture Village, Taepyeong Salt Farm on Jeungdo Island, the 3.6-kilometre Samaksan Cable Car experience and the Korea Expressway Corporation Arboretum.

For more information about travel to Korea, see VisitKorea.or.kr or email Toronto@knto.ca.