DESTINATION | SOUTH KOREA South Korea


the realms of politics, economics, and culture. It was designated as Korea’s capital during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Since then, the city has continued to grow to become the largest in the country. Following Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1945, the city


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chosen to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. Pyeongchang, often referred to as the Alps of Korea, is a popular destination among winter sports enthusiasts. Odaesan National Park, Phoenix Park Ski Resort, Yongpyong Resort Ski & Snowboard and Alpensia Resort provide perfect venues for skiing, snowboarding and sledding during the winter, as well as paragliding, horse riding and rafting throughout the year.


In the heart of Seoul there are royal palaces that have been


he cutting-edge capital of South Korea, Seoul is a unique city that


fuses ancient traditions with a modern metropolis to offer an exciting and rewarding destination for visitors. Korea welcomed more than


nine million international visitors in 2011, with the majority gravitating to the capital city. Seoul is a city of contrasts and it harmonises to make an


efficient and exciting centre that offers outstanding natural beauty (such as the Han River and Nam Mountain) blended with 600 years of history, culture and tradition. Last year, the city was named as a UNESCO City of Design and a UNESCO Cultural City, now home to 700 museums and 400 galleries. Seoul has been an area


of strategic importance since prehistoric times, particularly in


Seoul at Arabian Travel Market Korea National Tourism Organisation AS2440


designated as UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites and hi-tech buildings occupied by global institutions


was named Seoul, which means ‘towering high’. Seoul was thrust into the


international spotlight in 1988 when it hosted the Summer Olympic Games and again in 2002 with the FIFA World Cup. Both sporting events were a huge success and helped Seoul build its reputation as a leading global destination. Perhaps inspired by those


successes, there is more in the pipeline for the country, with the ski resort of Pyeongchang


Seoul is home to more than


10 million people, living and working in modern skyscrapers and moving rapidly through sophisticated infrastructure. At the same time, diverse forms of nature thrive throughout the city, while cultural heritage sites sit side by side with the modern metropolis. Seoul is traditional yet modern, technological yet natural. In the heart of Seoul there


are royal palaces that have been designated as UNESCO


World Cultural Heritage sites and hi-tech buildings occupied by global institutions. Asia’s largest underground street shopping mall lies near the 15th


century royal tombs. In total, Seoul is home to


nine UNESCO sites, including shrines, temples and ancient palaces, such as the Changdeokgung Palace, which was used as a reception venue for the G-20 Summit. Incheon International Airport


has been ranked Best Airport Worldwide by the Airports Council International for six years running and it is also one of only three airports


CJ Seoul Tower, Namsan


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to have a five-star ranking from Skytrax (Hong Kong and Singapore being the other two). For accommodation, there


are 135 hotels in Seoul with a combined total of 25,000 guest rooms, with a further 15,000 to be added by the end of 2015.


South Korea Fact File


Seoul, the capital of South Korea, is located in the northwest of the country.


Population: 10 million Climate: Summers are hot and humid with temperatures hitting 30ºC. The monsoon season falls between June and July. Winters can be very cold with temperatures plummeting to -7ºC. Local Time: GMT +9 Language: The official language is Korean, but English is also widely spoken and understood in the hospitality industry. Currency: Korean won US$1 = KRW1,086 Cultural considerations: Buddhism and Christianity are the most common religions. Getting there: Incheon International Airport is the main hub for flag carrier Korean Air. The airline currently flies to 106 cities in 39 countries worldwide.


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