Jetsettersblog

EVA Air has introduced its Hello Kitty Global Jet, the third aircraft in its second-generation series of the character-themed aircraft, on the Taipei-Tokyo route. The aircraft is also deployed on Taipei-Hong Kong service.

The Global Jet depicts a Hello Kitty Around the World designed to represent EVA’s role in bringing destinations closer together. It’s decorated with images of Hello Kitty, her family and friends with some of the world’s best-known landmarks. The design is designed to show that Hello Kitty is inviting others to join in her world travels. The other two aircraft in this series are the Magic Jet, launched in October, and the Apple Jet, placed in service in early December.

Korea is gearing up to host Expo 2012 Yeosu – The Living Ocean and Coast from 12 May to 12 August next year. More than one hundred countries will participate with an expected eight million visitors to the Expo which will also feature an Australian pavilion.

Expo 2012 Yeosu is an international exposition centred on the theme of ‘ocean’ and ‘coast’. It will contribute to finding a brighter future for humankind by highlighting the importance of achieving co-prosperity of the sea and humans and provide the vision for building a green economy that keeps the ocean healthy through clean technologies.

It will also be a culturally stimulating expo offering a series of inspiring programs with over forty performances and events taking place every day for the entire ninety-three day period. It will feature large-scale events such as the state-of-the-art night multi-media show, world class performances and concerts of popular singers from Korea and around the world.

The Big-O will be the centrepiece of the Expo where the nightly multi-media show will take place providing a dazzling display of laser lights. The Fountain Show takes place on a stage constructed on the sea. It will be shown through the world’s first ‘Living Screen’ at night, creating an awe-inspiring atmosphere. The Big Ocean Show is a performance utilising the sea, the beach and ships. It will be staged on a weekly basis with different performances that reflect the theme of the Expo. The World Ocean Performance features performances of artists from Korea and abroad and will take place on the floating stage utilizing the sea as a platform for cultural activities.

Today’s exposition-goers are not content with simply remaining an onlooker, they are more than willing to become part of the exposition. Korea’s leading information technologies are shifting the paradigm of an exposition. Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is a ubiquitous Expo that can be accessed and enjoyed online anytime and anywhere. Spectators can take part in the programs through interactive communications enabled by super high speed integrated information systems and real-time mobile broadcasting.

Expo 2012 Yeosu is a ubiquitous Expo than can be viewed, heard, explored and enjoyed anytime and anywhere via smartphones and the internet. Visitors will be able to book tickets, search for the quickest way to get to the Expo site and check out tourist attractions near Yeosu all at the touch of their smartphone.

Expo 2012 will also add style and sophistication with the entire Expo site an open-air gallery housing artworks of architectural grandeur, and providing a glimpse of a high-tech city of 2050 against the backdrop of the sea. Each and every corner of the Expo site will be filled with attention-grabbing sights and innovative designs.

Architectural highlights include a Theme Pavilion – Korea’s first offshore pavilion, the Korea Pavilion will be an embodiment of Korea’s vision and future, the International Pavilion modelled after the seascapes of the Dadohae archipelago and the Sky Tower adorned with a huge harp will all be outstanding structures.
There will be several ‘ocean’ and ‘coast’ experiences to enjoy such as the Ocean Experience Park and a Marine Life Pavilion representing life in the five major oceans of the world.

Yeosu city is located in the southern coastal area of Korea and information on transport to Yeosu and accommodation in the area are detailed on the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea website above for the interest of international visitors.
Tickets are on sale online now for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea and tickets purchased prior to the 31st December, 2011 attract a 10% discount. Visit the Expo homepage and ticket sales at the following webpage: http://eng.expo2012.kr/main.html

For general travel information on Korea and Yeosu and surrounding regions obtain your free 230page colour Korea guidebook from Korea Tourism Organization Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au  or phone: 02)9252-4147/8 Website: www.visitkorea.or.kr

All qualified conventions, meetings and incentive travels held in Korea between 2012 and 2015 will receive maximum government support and incentives.

Since the turn of the century, Korea has achieved an enormous growth in meetings and convention industry by ranking 8th in the number of meetings and conventions by Union of International Associations in 2011. In recognition of the enormous value of the meetings and convention industry, the Korean government has been nurturing and fostering this sector as one of strategic and new-growth industries In order to boost the country as one of the top five convention destinations in the world, the Korean government has declared the upcoming year as the 2012 Korea Convention Year.

Various programs by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization in cooperation with seven MICE Alliances in regional convention destinations have been planned with the goal to provide better services and support to MICE participants and organizers. In addition, the 2012 Korea Convention Year has been strategically scheduled to overlap with the final year of the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 campaign to boost the number of inbound tourists to Korea.

During the 2012 Korea Convention Year, government support and incentives for events held in Korea will increase up to twofold for qualified meetings, conventions and incentive tours. Convention centers and hotels will offer discounts on meetings venues up to 30 percent off the published rates. Hotels will offer up to 40 percent discount on rooms, complimentary room upgrades and welcome amenities for designated guests. Complimentary site inspection trips may also be arranged for qualifying organizations and special discounts for the organizer of the meetings and conventions as well as their participants are also available on the two flag carrier airlines: Korean Air and Asiana Airlines. Incentives like traditional performances tickets, souvenirs, tour programs and more may also be provided for qualified events.

In addition, the 2012 Korea Convention Year joined forces with the Korea MICE Alliance, which a union of regional convention bureaus, destination management companies and professional congress organizers, so that each city’s unique incentive plans are maximized for participants in any of the nine convention destinations all across Korea. On a national level, Korea Tourism Organization will increase financial subsidies to the organizers of MICE events.

To qualify for the Korea Convention Year’s incentive program, conventions should meet the Union of International Associations (UIA) meeting standards while incentive tours and corporate meetings should have more than 100 participants. The event, which may take place between 2012 and 2015, is required to confirm that Korea will be its host country during the year 2012. Events with more than 500 participants from the Asian region only or those with more than 1,000 international participants may qualify for airline discounts.

According to UIA, 464 conferences took place in Korea in 2010 – a remarkable 34% increase from 2009 – elevating the country to the eighth position in the world for the number conferences hosted. Korea is aggressively pushing to become the top five convention destination in the world and expect the 2012 Korea Convention Year to become the driving force behind this goal.

For more detailed information, please email the Korea MICE Bureau at mice@knto.or.kr

Cruise specialists ecruising.travel have released savings of more than $6000 per person on their Ultimate Asia cruise/tour for 2012 which travels through China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong including a 12-night cruise on-board the luxury Azamara Quest, now available from $7549 per person.

There is also the bonus of a free night stop over at the historic Raffles Hotel in Singapore on the way back to Australia if you book by December 31.

The 23-night package begins in Beijing China, where you will visit the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall before travelling to the UNESCO World Heritage site- the Summer Palace. From here you will fly to Xian for the famous Terracotta Warriors first discovered by a local farmer in 1974, from there continue to Shanghai to visit the highlights of the city before boarding your vessel.

The cruise has port stops in Busan, Hiroshima, Kobe, Kagoshima, Taipei and Hualien before arriving at Hong Kong.

Departing Australia on March 5, 2012 the package includes return economy airfares with Singapore Airlines from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, domestic flights within China, two nights’ accommodation at Raffles in Beijing, Aman Resort at the Summer Palace Beijing, The Sofitel in Xian, The Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong, eight days of fully escorted sight-seeing with an English speaking guide through-out China and all entrance fees, most local meals whilst in China including famous Dim Sum dinner and Peking duck specialities, 12 nights cruise accommodation with full board and entertainment and all transfers.

For more information on the ship and itinerary contact ecruising.travel on 1300 369 848 or check-out their new website www.ecruising.travel

Jeju Island, South Korea is celebrating their inclusion as one of the ‘New7Wonders of Nature’ based on the first count of vote results on11/11/11. Absolute verification of the results will take place in early 2012.

Jeju Island ran an excellent campaign as one of the finalists to become one of the ‘New7Wonders’ of the natural world and let the unique geography of the island inspire voters. Jeju was Korea’s first natural site to become an UNESCO World Natural Heritage in June 2007, covering three sites Geomunoreum, regarded as one of the finest lava tube system of caves; the fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong crater and Mt. Hallasan.

The largest island and smallest province in Korea, Jeju has a surface area of 1,846 sqkm, replete with appealing beaches, waterfalls, cliffs, caves and a unique island culture. Mt. Hallasan, which rises 1,950m above sea level and is home to flora and fauna of both temperate and tropical varieties, coexisting on the mountain. The Jungmun Tourist Complex is a comprehensive tourist resort and provides top-quality accommodation and tourist facilities.

Korean Aircontinues to be a favorite with business travelers. For the fifth consecutive year, it has been rated as the best airline in Asia by readers of Business Traveler magazine. The magazine’s readers also ranked Korean Air’s advertising campaign the best in the business for the fourth year in a row.

Korean Air recently introduced A380 flights to Asia from JFK and LAX, and is America’s largest Asian airline, flying from more cities in the Americas to more destinations in Asia than any other carrier. This year, Korean Air was awarded Best Airline in Northern Asia and Best Airport Staff/Gate Agent by Global Traveler magazine in its annual GT Tested Awards. Other publications, including Conde Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure, also have praised Korean Air’s service.

Korean Air, with a fleet of 142 aircraft, is one of the world’s top 20 airlines, and operates almost 400 flights per day to 118 cities in 40 countries. It is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance, which together with its 15 members, offers its 487 million annual passengers a worldwide system of more than 14,500 daily flights covering 926 destinations in 173 countries.

Crystal Cruises will host TV personality Regis Philbin on the March 13 cruise from Hong Kong to Osaka. Crystal announced the news on Nov. 18, Philbin’s last day hosting his daytime show, “Live with Regis and Kelly.”

Philbin, who holds the Guinness World Record for “most hours on camera,” will deliver talks about his life and legendary career and have a Q&A with cruisers. His wife, Joy, will accompany him.

The “Kingdoms of Silk & Jade” Crystal Serenity sailing includes overnights in Hong Kong before visiting Xiamen, Shanghai (overnight), and Dalian, then heads inland to Beijing for a complimentary three-day inland adventure, followed by calls in Seoul/Incheon (overnight), Nagasaki and Osaka (overnight). For more information, call 800-446-6620.

The Seoul Independent Film Festival is set to run from December 8th to 16th.
The Seoul Independent Film Festival will return to the South Korean capital in December to showcase a selection of productions from local screenwriters.

Cineastes will have the opportunity to watch a diverse range of films across three categories – shorts, lasting for less than 60 minutes, features of an hour or more and invitational movies.

Presented by the Korean Film Council, the event dates back to the 1975 Korean Youth Film Festival, Golden Crown Short Film Festival and Korean Independent Short Film Festival.

Screenings are set to take place at the Spongehouse Joongang Cinema’s IndieSpace venue and the festival is due to run from Thursday December 8th to Friday December 16th.

Various ticket packages are available, with prices starting at 6,000 South Korean won (GBP3.35) for admission to each general presentation, while entry to night screenings costs 10,000 South Korean won.

Tickets for every film shown during the event cost 40,000 South Korean won for the first 30 patrons and admission to the invitational films is free of charge.

Movie lovers keen to attend the festival will find AsiaRooms.com offers a wide and varied choice of Seoul hotels such as the IP Boutique Hotel Itaewon, a four-star property located in the city’s Yongsan-Gu district.

Further information on the festival is available at http://www.siff.or.kr

It is Korea’s greatest shopping festival event and certainly one of the biggest in Asia.The Korea Grand Sale 2012 will run from January 9-29. For a period of fifty-two days, major attractions in cities including Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island will offer great discounts to international visitors along with huge shopping discounts.

Co-organized by the Visit Korea Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism the event follows the hugely popular one earlier this year. Over 21,100 shops (72 types of businesses) including major department stores, duty free shops, hotels, discount stores, and convenience stores will participate in the event, offering 10-50% discounts (based on estimates as of October 6, 2011), significantly greater than the previous sale. Following the recent shopping trend, visitors will enjoy a variety of shopping experiences (food, tourism, and culture). The event will be more than just a shopping event, it will offer full-scale tourism experiences for visitors.

In addition, the Hallyu superstar, Choi Ji-Woo will join the Korea Grand Sale 2012 following this year as a promotional model. The event will launch with the grand opening on January 9th followed by a fascinating array of festivities including the Hallyu Concert and Korean culture experience programs. Diverse programs are in place for international tourists to fully enjoy the Korea Grand Sale 2012. During the event, a free shuttle bus will operate and tour major shopping attractions including the Gangbuk area (Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, and more) and the Gangnam area (including Cheongdam-dong, Apgujeong, and more), three times a day (one in the morning and two in the afternoon) for three days a week.

An even better promotion is offered by the One More Night Promotion program. The program offers international tourists who stay in Korea for more than three nights one additional night’s accommodation free of charge. Over 42 major hotels will participate in the program. Visitors can also find a wide array of promotional services including free food and drinks during the event.

Katie Han, Executive Director of Marketing of the Visit Korea Committee, expects, “The Korea Grand Sale 2012 will be even more successful than the last one by adding experience programs for tourists.” She goes on to say, “The Visit Korea Committee will actively work on marketing activities to attract shopping lovers from around the world to Korea.”

For more information, please visit the event’s official website at www.koreagrandsale.or.kr

For Australians looking to experience a white Christmas or enjoy skiing in our off season South Korea is going all out to attract Australians this winter. A newly published ‘Winter in Korea’ guide highlights Korea’s top ski resorts as well as it’s many winter festivals, hotsprings and water parks.

Now that Korea is set to host the 2018 Winter Olympics it will certainly increase interest from foreign skiers in Korea’s ski resorts. Some of the best skiing in Korea can be enjoyed at the east coast resorts which have the highest slopes, the longest season and best snowfalls.

The main resort of Yonpgyong which features in most ski tour packages ex Australia has been welcoming foreign skiers for a number of years to its slopes. Yongpyong (700-1,500 metres above sea level) provides good alpine skiing as well as great snowboarding.

Yongpyong also runs the Fun Ski & Snow Festival every year offering special events for foreign visitors to compete and enjoy the resort and its facilities.

Major ski wholesalers in Australia such as Skimax and Adventure World as well as JTB and Hana Tours have great value ski packages to Yongpyong Ski Resort. Return airfares from Australia are not included in the following offers:-
Skimax offers a seven night package twin share with breakfast and six day lift pass from $905 per person twin share at Dragon Valley Hotel (1-20 December, 2011) if you book and pay before 31 October. See more at www.skimax.com.au

Adventure World has a seven night package twin share at Tower Condominiums with breakfast and six day lift pass from $799 per person valid for travel 19 February-31 March, 2012. More info: www.adventureworld.com.au

JTB has a seven night package twin share at Dragon Valley Hotel with six day lift pass from $899 per person for travel 19 February-31 March, 2012. Website: www.jtb.com.au

Participation in the Yongpyong Fun Ski Festival four day tour program is available from $550 per person (land only) on two special group tours (2-5 January, 2012 and 12-15 February, 2012) organised by Hana Tours in Sydney Ph: 02)9764-6997

The ski market to Korea will no doubt boom with international interest in Korea’s ski resorts set to grow solely due to the fact that the Winter Olympics will be held there in 2018. Korea’s ski resorts have been a bit of a local secret for many years but no doubt skiers from all over the world will now flock to Korea to discover skiing in Korea for themselves.

Get your free ‘Winter of Korea Awaits’ guide from the Korea Tourism Organization Sydney office and plan your ‘Ski Korea’ holiday today. Email: visitkorea@knto.org.au  Ph; 02)9252-4147