Coinciding with 50th anniversary of establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations with India, Korea Tourism Festival began in New Delhi. To promote outbound tourism from India, Anushka Sen has been named honorary ambassador of Korea Tourism.

With the objective to promote outbound tourism from India to South Korea, the Korea Tourism Festival kicked off with a gala night, celebrating cultural connections and vibrant experiences.

The festival coincides with the 50th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and South Korea. The event was attended by Younggeun Lee, Executive Director of Korea Tourism Organisation, who had come specially for the event from Seoul.

On the occasion, Indian television actress, model and influencer, Anushka Sen was also named the honorary ambassador of Korea Tourism from India. According to a press statement by Korea Tourism, this appointment showcases the shared values and mutual respect between the two countries, promising exciting opportunities for deeper cultural exploration.

The gala night also featured a presentation and tasting session of Korean temple food by Buddhist Nun & Grand Master Temple Food Guru Wookwan. This significant experience introduced the flavours of Korean temple cuisine to India for the first time, says the statement.

‘‘As we look ahead, the Korea Tourism Festival serves as a testament to the enduring cultural connections between our nations. This event symbolises the deep-rooted ties that bind us and opens doors for even more vibrant cultural exchanges. As part of Visit Korea Year, we eagerly anticipate strengthening these connections and welcoming travellers to explore the enchanting offerings of Korea. The festival’s success reaffirms Korea’s growing popularity as a favoured destination for Indian travellers,’’ says Myongkil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC, Korea Tourism Organisation.

The statement adds that aligned with KTO’s ambitious initiative, Visit Korea Year 2023-24, the festival’s success underscores Korea’s rising popularity among Indian travelers. KTO data reveals that Indian visitors to Korea had surpassed 49,580 by June 2023, with projections reaching 120,000 by December 2023.

It adds that KTO also hosted a Travel Mart on August 25, featuring participants like JeollaNamdo Tourism Organisation, Gwangju City, nine destination management companies, Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Bioface, and Amorepacific. These participants actively engaged, creating a platform to explore various aspects of Korean travel and lifestyle, it says.

Also, a Korea Culture and Tourism Festival is being organised on August 26-27 in Gurgaon. Open to public, this festival offers a unique opportunity to experience different facets of Korean culture, including K-Performance, K-Beauty, Korean food, and traditional games, it says.