The festival has became a major tourism festival

Korea Tourism Organisation holds a shopping tourism festival for foreign tourists, Korea Grand Sale, in order to increase consumer spending and the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea.

Korea Tourism Organisation is all set to welcome shopaholics to the Korea Grand Sale from January 20 to February 28. The grand sale has become a representative shopping tourism festival where tourists enjoy shopping, tourism and the Korean Wave, ‘Hallyu’.

After having been held every winter since 2011, this shopping festival will now be held every February under the name of Korea Grand Sale and every October under the name of Korea Sale FESTA to provide special benefits to foreign visitors.

Byungsun Lee, Director, Korea Tourism Organisation said, “With Korea Grand Sale we introduce another reason for the Indian traveller to visit South Korea. Unlike other shopping festivals around the world, which are flooded with just discounts, Korea Grand Sale will offer an experiential shopping memory for the visitors to take back home.”

At the upcoming festival, the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games and winter sports will be promoted actively. Mainly in Gangwon province, the Olympic Winter Games and winter festivals such as ‘Gangwon Grand Sale’, ‘Olympic Festival’, ‘K-Drama in Pyeongchang’ and ‘Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival’ will be introduced to give unforgettable memories to foreign visitors. Special discounts of up to 50 pc on tickets for ski lifts, sightseeing gondolas and ski equipment rental services, with many other special offers, will be available.

‘Special Theme Weeks’ will be designated to welcome foreign visitors at the event centre in front of the Doota Mall in Dongdaemun. Must-Buy Week, Must-See Week, Must-Do Week and Must-Eat Week, for every theme week, will offer interesting events and experiences for visitors.

During the Must-Buy Week (January 20-31), foreigners will be provided with free cosmetics and ginseng products by showing the shopping receipts and attending events at the event centre, depending on the total amount of purchase.

During the Must-See Week (February 1-7), there will be various shows, including popular non-verbal performances and traditional music concerts.

The Must-Do Week (February 8-21) will have special events using the virtual reality (VR) content so that visitors can experience the winter sports such as skiing and bobsleigh.

In the final Must-Eat Week (February 22-28), 30 best dishes from Gangwon province that are chosen and made by famous Korean chefs, Edward Kwon, Hyunseok Choi and Sujin will be available to food lovers.

Two event centres will be installed at Myeongdong and Dongdaemun to promote the festival providing information and services. At Myeongdong, along with Chinese New Year holidays from January 20 to 31, the event centre will be stationed in front of the Lotte department store providing information and free gifts. Throughout the festival period, the event centre at Dongdaemun will provide translations, tourism information, free internet/Wi-Fi, phone charging services.

Moreover, ‘Hands Free Service’ to provide luggage delivery and storage service among department stores, hotels, airports and other major places in Seoul will be offered with up to 50 pc discount allowing foreign visitors to enjoy shopping without luggage.