GANGNEUNG CITY ENG - 솔향강릉

- Plans to operate a new online travel platform connecting independent foreign tourists and local agencies -

 Gangneung City announced its plans to operate ‘TourBridge Gangneung’ an online travel platform for foreign independent travelers (FIT), together with Gangneung Tourism Development Corporation. 

 This project is part of a strategy to boost inbound tourism from abroad, aiming to proactively respond to changes in the tourism environment caused by domestic population decline and an increase in travel overseas.

 ‘TourBridge Gangneung’ is a win-win smart platform that connects FIT travelers with local travel agencies to create customized tour packages.

 Foreign visitors interested in Gangneung can access the platform via mobile devices, completing a simple survey about travel preferences and then get matched with a local agency that will propose and create a personalized travel package. 

 Users can enjoy a one-stop service from local agencies including intercity transport, local travel, accommodation, restaurants, visits to attractions as well as a reservation and payment service.

 This platform is expected to address key challenges foreign travelers face outside major cities such as language, transportation and reservations, playing a major role in expanding tourism beyond Seoul and Busan to regional areas like Gangneung. 

 Gangneung City stated, “TourBridge Gangneung will effectively connect local travel agencies with foreign visitors, greatly improving the accessibility and convenience of Gangneung for foreign tourists,” adding, “It will also activate the inbound role capabilities of local travel agencies suffering difficulties and play a leading role in attracting 500,000 foreign tourists this year.”

 ‘TourBridge Gangneung’ is currently recruiting local travel agencies to participate on the Gangneung Tourism Development Corporation’s website (https://gtdc.or.kr/), and after final testing and agency training, the service will officially launch in June.​​