Kaohsiung International Tourism Team Advances to Korea to Expand Business Opportunities, Visits AREX, KATA, CJ ENM to Deepen Tourism Collaboration

Anticipating continued growth in Korean tourists visiting Taiwan, the Kaohsiung City Government has once again joined forces with the tourism industry to send a delegation to Korea. Led by Kaohsiung Tourism Bureau Director Kao Min-Lin, a 'Kaohsiung International Tourism Team' of over 60 members traveled to Seoul and Busan under the theme 'Vibrant Kaohsiung (활기찬 가오슝)' to host tourism promotion events and business matchmaking sessions, while visiting key Korean transportation, tourism, and cultural entertainment organizations to deepen Taiwan-Korea tourism cooperation and actively expand the Korean tourism market.

60-Member Delegation Promotes 'Vibrant Kaohsiung' in Seoul and Busan, Targeting Korean Travelers

Seoul Tourism Association (STA) President Cho Tae-sook warmly welcomed the delegation and praised Kaohsiung’s dynamic efforts in international tourism promotion in recent years. (Photo/Provided by Kaohsiung City Government Tourism Bureau)

The delegation included representatives from the Tourism Bureau, Agriculture Bureau, Youth Bureau, Kaohsiung Net Zero Academy, Kaohsiung Travel Agents Association, Hotel Association, Homestay Association, Greater Kaohsiung Tourism Business District Association,观光 factories, gift products, dining, and accommodation sectors. Through government-industry collaboration, the team aims to promote Kaohsiung’s diverse features—including its harbor city charm, cuisine, concert economy, and sustainable tourism—to the Korean market, attracting more Korean travelers to visit.

Director Kao emphasized that Korea remains a vital international source market for Kaohsiung. In recent years, Kaohsiung has enhanced its global visibility through concert-driven economic activities, major international events, and city branding campaigns, earning recognition from international travel platforms as a high-value destination in Asia. In addition to hosting large-scale B2B tourism expos, the delegation met with key organizations including Korea Airport Railroad (AREX), Korea Travel Association (KATA), Seoul Tourism Association (STA), leading entertainment company CJ ENM, and the Taipei Representative Office in Korea, aiming to expand cooperation across transportation, tourism, culture, and city marketing.

The Tourism Bureau noted that AREX signed a friendship and cooperation agreement with Kaohsiung MRT in April this year. During this visit, both sides exchanged views on integrating transportation tickets, co-branded marketing, and mutual tourism promotion, aiming to create more convenient cross-border travel services. The Korea Travel Association expressed confidence in Kaohsiung’s market potential and pledged to encourage more travel agencies to develop in-depth travel products focused on Kaohsiung and southern Taiwan, thereby increasing visitor numbers.

The delegation also visited CJ ENM, a leader in Korea’s entertainment and cultural industry, to discuss collaboration in concert economy, film and television culture, and large-scale events. Kaohsiung has consistently hosted major K-POP concerts and the Asian Star Awards in recent years. Both sides exchanged views on future cooperation in large music events and cultural exchanges, aiming to attract more international visitors by integrating Korean pop culture content with Kaohsiung’s city brand.

Additionally, the Kaohsiung International Tourism Team visited the Seoul Tourism Association to exchange insights on night tourism and visitor retention strategies. They shared Kaohsiung’s experience in promoting night-time economies—such as combining Love River nightscapes, Kaohsiung Harbor cruises, dining, concerts, and shopping district discounts—and discussed potential collaboration models to extend visitor stay durations and boost tourism spending.

The Tourism Bureau stated that earlier this year, city image advertisements featuring 'KEEP VIBRANT KAOHSIUNG' were launched in Busan and Hongdae, Seoul, successfully increasing brand exposure. Moving forward, Kaohsiung will continue to deepen cooperation with Korea in tourism, agriculture, youth entrepreneurship, and culture through official exchanges, industry partnerships, and cross-departmental integration, further expanding the Korean inbound tourism market and allowing more Korean travelers to experience Kaohsiung’s vibrant and charming cityscape.