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superacidjax
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Location: Seoul
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 Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:03 am Post subject: The Seoul people really want to visit vs. palaces. |
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http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/NEWKHSITE/data/html_dir/2009/05/15/200905150053.asp
This article seems to get it right. Younger tourists want to visit places that are exciting and cutting-edge and interesting. While touring 1700 palaces is interesting and a vital part of "seeing" a country, people seem to want excitement, "sexiness," and cool.
People don't go to Tokyo to see the shrines. People go to Tokyo because it's a "happening" place.
Anyway, the article talks about the discord between the "mask dance, dead kings and palace" tourism mindset of the government vs. the "exciting, trendy and sexy" mindset of the younger crowd.
Korea House or Hongdae? What attracts more tourists on any given night? I enjoy a nice palace here and there, but I'm not going to spend an airline ticket to fly across the ocean just to see a damned earthen mound and eat kimchi. I would fly across the ocean to visit someplace that was exciting, innovative and dynamic (not Dynamic (tm).)
The endless history lessons are a great supplement to a tourist trip, not the other way around. People aren't going to Bali to learn about Indonesian history.. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:10 am Post subject: |
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Not going to read the garbage in the KH or KT, but I'll read you saj.
If you do it right, you see both. Culture and sites by day, parties and debauchery by night. |
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superacidjax
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:34 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| If you do it right, you see both. Culture and sites by day, parties and debauchery by night. |
Exactly. The Korean Tourism Office seems to overemphasize the package tour mindset (endless historical sites and "traditional" culture) but fails to emphasize the "other" Korea. I understand that most Koreans are package tour afficionados, so that logic is obvious, however the "Lonely Plant" types don't just want to learn about King Sejong and the miracle of Hangul.
Like the Yen/Yang on the flag.. Debauchery and history balance each other.. Hopefully the KTO will start to promote some of the exciting things in the city rather than just old buildings and hanbok. The Seoul fashion scene, the art world and the interesting after-dark culture would really round out the sales "package" Korea presents to the tourist-consumer. |
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Bibbitybop
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 9:22 am Post subject: |
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| superacidjax wrote: |
| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| If you do it right, you see both. Culture and sites by day, parties and debauchery by night. |
Exactly. The Korean Tourism Office seems to overemphasize the package tour mindset (endless historical sites and "traditional" culture) but fails to emphasize the "other" Korea. I understand that most Koreans are package tour afficionados, so that logic is obvious, however the "Lonely Plant" types don't just want to learn about King Sejong and the miracle of Hangul.
Like the Yen/Yang on the flag.. Debauchery and history balance each other.. Hopefully the KTO will start to promote some of the exciting things in the city rather than just old buildings and hanbok. The Seoul fashion scene, the art world and the interesting after-dark culture would really round out the sales "package" Korea presents to the tourist-consumer. |
Let's take it a step further and see how Seoul could really rake in the money: Legalize and promote the use of both prostitutes and soft drugs. It's the "Sparkling Amsterdam of Asia." Oh, and bike lanes. |
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superacidjax
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 9:40 am Post subject: |
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| Bibbitybop wrote: |
| Let's take it a step further and see how Seoul could really rake in the money: Legalize and promote the use of both prostitutes and soft drugs. It's the "Sparkling Amsterdam of Asia." Oh, and bike lanes. |
I can neither condone nor condemn the legalization of anything (comes under political activities, prohibited by my E-2) lol.. But unofficially, that would be THE ticket for Seoul to become the Hub of Asia (tm).
Bike lanes would be outstanding too!  |
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GoldMember
Joined: 24 Oct 2006
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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KTO Tours are all about what They WANT Tourists to experience about Korea. It is NOT what Tourists want.
Always the obligatory Kimchi making class.
Listening to damm loud and very annoying drumming.
Next a visit to the Dokdo Museum
Then a visit to the "East Sea not Sea of Japan Museum" etc
Just kidding about the last two. I think! |
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superacidjax
Joined: 17 Oct 2006
Location: Seoul
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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It's interesting how the North Korean tourist system is not unlike SK's.. Of course the NK tour folks "encourage" your appreciation of the cultural and Juche treasures of their country using more convincing forms of persuasion.
The Dokdo museum is here: http://www.dokdomuseum.go.kr
Funny side note.. I was just at the Houston Consulate picking up my E-2 yesterday and on the wall was a huge map of Korea with "We Love Dokdo" on the map. I should have taken a photo, but I didn't want to possibly piss off the consul.. I doubt they would have minded, but anytime I'm in contact with government officials, I try to stay below the radar..
My "I Love the Sea of Japan" t-shirt probably wasn't a good idea.. |
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