[News] Experience the Best of Korean Culture at the 2023 ITB Berlin: Korean Travel Companies Participate in Promoting K-Culture and Visit Korea Year 2023-2024

Korean travel companies are gearing up for the 2023 ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus Börse), one of the world's largest tourism exhibitions, which attracts approximately 10,000 companies from over 180 countries across six continents. The Korea Tourism Organization is planning to showcase high-quality K-Culture at the event, with 24 companies, including local travel agencies, local government, and RTO, participating in promoting traditional Korean culture (such as hanbok, Korean food, and hanok) as well as pop culture (such as K-Pop and K-Drama).

The Korea Tourism Promotional Hall, which will be situated in the Asia Section Hall at 242 square meters in size, will be designed with lines and colors of hanbok with the motif of “traditional Korean patterns,” emphasizing the Visit Korea Year 2023-2024. The promotional hall will feature an interactive screen zone, traditional culture experience event zone, Korea tourism sales promotion zone, and more.

In promoting "Visit Korea Year 2023-2024," the booth will highlight various K-Culture tourism contents, such as 100 K-Culture events and 2030 Busan Expo related culture, arts, sports, games, architecture, and more. Visitors will be able to participate in traditional Korean activities like a tea ceremony, hanbok wearing experience, and Korean calligraphy. A motion-sensor VR interactive game featuring a Korean version of "Green Light, Red Light," made popular from the hit series "Squid Game" (2021), will also be available.

Moreover, a large screen in the booth will be playing promotional videos, including "Feel the Rhythm of Korea" as well as K-Drama and reality show filming location tours. With a focus on spreading K-Culture to a wider audience, the Korea Tourism Promotional Hall will be a fantastic opportunity for event-goers to experience the vibrant and diverse culture of Korea.

Resuming short-term visit visa issuance: Starting February 11, 2023

Starting on February 11, 2023, the Korean government has announced the reissuance of short-term visit visas with COVID-19 testing requirements still in place. However, the testing mandate is expected to end sooner than previously anticipated.

Until the end of February, all visitors entering South Korea from China, Hong Kong, and Macau must undergo COVID-19 testing prior to their arrival. This includes either a COVID-19 PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure or a rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of departure, with a negative result required. 

COVID-19 Test requirement for China, Hong Kong and Macau (until late-February): Visitors must have a negative test result from COVID-19 PCR Test taken within 48 hours of departure or a rapid antigen test (RAT) within 24 hours of departure. And also must receive a COVID-19 PCR Test within one day of entry.

Additionally, these visitors must take another COVID-19 PCR test within one day of entering South Korea. This requirement applies to anyone who has stayed in or visited China within the past 7 days before coming to South Korea. Short-term visitors from China must take a PCR test immediately upon arrival and await the results in a designated waiting area. 

Returning South Korean citizens and long-term stay visitors entering from China must take the test within one day of entry and await the results at their residence.

In the event of a positive test result, short-term visitors will be accommodated at temporary housing facilities located in different cities and provinces. 

Those who test positive upon arrival at the airport will be housed at temporary quarantine facilities.

Templestay in Korea

Looking for a way to escape the chaos of city life and recharge your soul? Look no further than Templestay, a unique program that offers a chance to experience Korean Buddhism and its daily lifestyle, rituals, and spirituality.

What is Templestay?

Templestay is a one-of-a-kind experience that involves staying at a Buddhist temple and participating in daily monastic activities. It has become one of the most popular programs among both locals and foreign visitors, who are seeking to immerse themselves in Korean Buddhism.

What to Expect During a Templestay

A typical templestay program usually includes a Buddhist service, seon meditation, 108 prostrations, and communal work. 

Some programs may also offer education on monastic meal offerings and tea ceremony rituals.

Another popular program is the creation of a lotus lantern, which is a form of Buddhist art. The lotus-shaped lantern symbolizes a light that illuminates the darkness and is hung at temples and surrounding areas across the country during Buddha's Birthday, the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. During this time, there are various events held across the country that attract tourists from near and far.