Korean Job Discussion Forums

justin moffatt · Joined: 29 Aug 2006

Yet another bright shiny moment in the Land of Morning Calm.

My Korean wife and I managed to finally get confirmation for our Korean Travel Package overseas to Thailand. Lo and behold, they contact us a few weeks before we leave, oh sorry . . . NO FOREIGNERS ALLOWED. We can guarantee your flight but we cannot guarantee your hotel or travel tour. In fact, if the foreigner PAYS MORE MONEY then maybe we can ensure your previously booked ticket.

Of course, the real reason is, Koreans go on their useless tours going to Korean owned shopping malls, and Latex factories and Korean restaurants (when overseas). Some foreigners, on the other hand, cancel the tour component and don't attend. In other words, the Korean shopping malls and restaurants are losing money (and complaining to the Travel Agencies).

Now before the apologists go off and spew the usual rebuttals:
1) Some travel agencies do not have this policy
2) We have been informed 2X before, that we must pay the "TIP" (usually $50US) to the tour guide even if we skip the "shopping tour" (which we do with no complaints)
3) Basing a blanket policy for services OUTSIDE OF KOREA is absurd (especially when they do not inform customers until AFTER their services are paid)

Bibbitybop · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm inclined to side with you on the discrimination issue, but when I think about a foreigner actually wanting to go on a guided tour with ajummas and ajossis and not being able to escape from the madness that is Korea, I'm going to side with no one and recommend you make your own tour or travel with a Western company.

victorology · Joined: 10 Sep 2007

How much more are they asking for?

At first glance, it seemed unjust for them not to sell a tour package to a foreigner but with your explanation, it does make a bit of sense.

I would assume many of the establishments on the tour probably give the travel agency some kind of kickback. If you decide not to take the tour, you won't patronize their establishment and they won't get the return on investment they're looking for.

With that said, you'd think they'd let you go anyway since foreigners probably make up such a small percentage of the tour group and wouldn't affect profits much.

Xuanzang · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Sadang

F them. There`s hundreds of agencies out there who want your Sejongs. Find another one or just DIY. Thailand is experiencing the backlash from theairport demonstrations combined with the economic downturn. Meaning that usually packed resorts are relatively deserted and there are deals to be found. I`d rather avoid the visor wearing crowd because a) I work with them b) soon enough they`ll be back in full force for the summer months.

RACETRAITOR · Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Location: Seoul, South Korea

Obviously.

These companies are not set up to deal with non-Koreans who don't have national ID numbers. It's not the fault of racism, but a leftover component of the military dictatorship era.

justin moffatt · Joined: 29 Aug 2006

It was the cheapest package available. Hence, it is obvious the Korean owned facilities are providing kickbacks.

Speculating, perhaps foreigners get irrate when expected to pay the "TIP" when cancelling the tour component, combined with less revenue for Korean shop owners, has led to this policy.

Regardless, state your policy IN ADVANCE, not weeks after the booking and just over a week before leaving. At this point, it is virtually impossible to get a package for even remotely close to the same price. Flights alone are now more expensive.

Discrimination with monetary justification is still discrimination. It amazes me how people rationalize blatant discrimnatory policies with "logical arguements" (e.g. International ATM cards, telecommunication services, foreigner owned start up businesses, on-line services, etc.). If you don't want our business. Fine. Just make it clear before I choose your services. Just like the NO FOREIGNER ALLOWED on the doors of some Korean Saunas or Korean Nightclubs.

How accepted would these rationalizations be about minority groups in YOUR HOME COUNTRY. Lest we forget . . .

SUBPOST: BTW after a necessary nice relaxing break in SE Asia, I soon forget (or repress) these issues (it's just more frustrating when these travel agency bastards may take it away from us). Evil or Very Mad

sojourner1 · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 8:04 am Post subject:

Those tours are exclusively for Koreans only just as many other things are. Some may let you on and some won't I would guess. Go independently down South like nearly all other Westerners do. Thailand and surrounding countries are an independent travelers charm. I would imagine there's little adventure and freedom on a Korean tour as it's about shopping and patronizing Korean interests in Thailand. It's probably best you weren't allowed to go on this tour as I would imagine it would leave any westerner dissatisfied and wishing he'd gone on his own.

If you want a nice package trip, then the Caribbean and Hawaii specializes in just that, but it's expensive. Of course, you can get it anywhere. If you want independent travel, then SE Asia is just right as they're equipped more so for nonpackage tourists who didn't plan ahead.

justaguy · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Location: seoul

The tour company gets money from each place your group goes to. This helps cover some of the cost of the tour and thus they can offer the tour at a cheap price. The "fine" thing for not attending parts of the tour are to discourage people from leaving the tour. Tips for the tour guide are standard on Korean package tours.

Koreans all know that this is how Korean package tours operate. Your wife should have told you this. Perhaps she assumed you already knew or just didn't care. Obviously the price is what mattered to you most.

As for the no foreigners thing, I'm assuming that they have Koreans on a waiting list to go on this tour who will fully participate in it and shell out money on the tour. Perhaps based on past experience, the tour company correctly thinks you may not enjoy it, won't fully participate nor buy things at each place like a Korean would.

If you don't like it I suggest making your own tour.

VanIslander · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2009 9:44 am Post subject:

who doesn't want to eat gimchi and rice while on vacation in Thailand?

tiger fancini · Joined: 21 Mar 2006 Location: Testicles for Eyes

Cohiba · Joined: 01 Feb 2005

I don't know why you can't find tickets. I just bought mine from
SOHO Travel:

2 people ICN-BKK-Samui return for KRW1,470,100 (everything incl.)
Going for the entire month of February. Will haggle for a beach
bungalow on Samui later. Shouldn't be much of a problem.

Why do you want the package? How much was it? I agree with the
other posters, if you are travelling with Koreans, you may as well stay
in Korea. (slim, sexy 20 somethings excepted)

Try: [email protected]

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

jkelly80 · Joined: 13 Jun 2007 Location: you boys like mexico?

Post the name and contact info. We can inundate him/her with messages in a language he/she can't understand despite studying it for over a decade!

wylies99 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: I'm one cool cat!

Yes, please post the name of this agency.

Typhoon · Joined: 29 May 2007 Location: Daejeon

It is difficult to do, but try not to spend any money on Korean products. By foreign whenever you can. Go to western restaurants, book flight tickets on-line with non-Korean carriers, buy American beef, non-Korean rice, Japanese electronics, etc. The more people that do that the better of the world will be as Korea sinks back into the third world cess pool it is.

The hate has ended.