The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) Manila Office, together with the Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), organized the Korea Transit Tour Seminar on March 15 at Lanson Place, Mall of Asia. 

The Korea Transit Tour Seminar was held to promote and raise awareness of the benefits transiting Filipinos can receive in Korea and for travel agencies to have an additional product in their portfolio they can offer to their clients.

Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul  (Jonathan Hicap)

Hongdae in Seoul  (Jonathan Hicap)

The event welcomed attendees from 230 KTO travel partners. IIAC, Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air, Korean Air, and Delta Airlines were present at the event to provide updates and conduct table-top business meetings with the travel agencies. 

During the program, KTO and IIAC highlighted in their presentations the three programs offered for transiting passengers in Korea: visa-free entry, Free Transit Tour, and K-Stopover. 

According to KTO, there are two types of visa-free entry programs for travelers transiting in Korea. 

One is the visa-free period of 30 days for passengers holding a visa to enter the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and 32 European Union (EU) countries. 

The other one is the visa-free program for three days for general transfers going to a third country not included in the first option. Passengers who are availing the three-day visa-free entry programs must book either the Free Transit or K-Stopover tours in order to be eligible.

KTO said, “The Free Transit Tour is for passengers with layovers of less than 24 hours, with some attractions charging admission fees. K-Stopover is for a stopover of not less than 24 hours but not more than 72 hours and has a payment.” 

Under the Free Transit Tours, passengers have the option to choose from 30-minute to 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5-hour tours, depending on the duration of the layover. 

If a transit passenger only has one hour to spare, the hanbok wearing and hangeul souvenir crafting in the K-Culture Zone of the airport can be experienced. If passengers have more than one hour to spare, they can discover the Younggungsa Temple (Temple) or Paradise City Art-tainment (Entertainment). 

With two hours to spare, one can visit the Yedanpo Trail and Haneul Garden (Landscape) or Songdo Central Park and Tri-bowl (Songdo).

For those with three hours of layover, they can explore the Sinpo Market and a Hanji experience workshop (experience), shop at Hyundai Premium Outlet, and visit Incheondaegyo Bridge and Triple Street (shopping). 

Four-hour tours offer visits to Hongdae Street and entry to the Gwangmyeong Cave (cave theme park). 

The longest scheduled transit tour is five hours. Under this, one can spend the time playing golf at Orange Dunes Golf Club (Golf Tour-1) or Club72 (Golf Tour-2). Travelers can also learn Korea’s history and tradition at Cheongwadae and Tongin Marker (past and present), Gyeongbokgung Palace and Insa-dong (tradition), or Jeondeungsa Temple (history). Other themes are going to Imjingak Pyeonghwa Nuri Park and Dokgae Bridge (peaceful Korea), The Third Tunnel and Dora Observatory (DMZ), or Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang and Yeongjongdaegyo Observatory (Future).

On the other hand, the K-Stopover program offers reasonably priced package items, ranging from different types of accommodations and transportation to airport lounges and shopping vouchers. In addition to Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do, there are courses that offer exposure to a variety of local tourist destinations. The K-Stopover program at Incheon Airport will create wonderful experiences in Korea for every transit passenger.

Transit programs are a partnership between the airlines and airports. The airlines offer connecting flights for Filipinos going to a greater number of countries that have limited service going to and from the Philippines. IIAC organizes the Free Transit Tour and K-Stopover tours to make the most of the passengers’ time in Korea when transiting to a third country.

Hyung Joon Kim, director of KTO Manila, emphasized that it is an ideal moment for more Filipinos to visit Korea and build memorable and inspiring travel experiences. Kim assured that 75 years of diplomatic ties and connection between the Philippines and Korea will be further strengthened through tourism exchanges.