{
  "id": 12533806,
  "title": "KTO launches campaign to draw int'l tourists beyond capital city",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/kto-launches-campaign-to-draw-intl-tourists-beyond-capital-city",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-07T03:32:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/lifestyle/travel-food/20261007/kto-launches-campaign-to-draw-intl-tourists-beyond-capital-city"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea's tourism officials have unveiled a nationwide campaign to divert international tourists away from the bustling capital city of Seoul and towards regional destinations, according to a report from Wednesday. The initiative, titled \"Unlock Your Korea: Go Local,\" is spearheaded by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and is set to run until December 13. The campaign aims to tackle the logistical challenges that often confine overseas travelers to the capital by focusing on secondary entry points such as regional airports in Cheongju, Daegu, and Gimhae, as well as major seaport terminals in Incheon, Pyeongtaek, and Gunsan.\n\nMin Byung-sun, head of the KTO's Tourism Industry Division, emphasized the campaign's goal of ensuring that foreign visitors arriving via these regional access points can easily access travel information and fully immerse themselves in the unique cultural offerings of the regions they are visiting. The primary objectives of the campaign are to simplify the shopping experience for tourists and improve transportation options. To achieve this, the campaign will likely provide resources to facilitate seamless shopping and efficient travel arrangements, thereby encouraging a more balanced distribution of tourist traffic throughout Korea.",
  "summary": "In a major push to disperse tourist traffic beyond Seoul, tourism officials in Korea launched a national campaign Wednesday aimed at helping international travelers navigate the country’s regional heartland directly from provincial airports and seaports. The initiative, dubbed Unlock Your Korea: Go Local, is spearheaded by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and will run through Dec. 13. By…",
  "key_points": [
    "KTO launches 'Unlock Your Korea: Go Local' campaign",
    "Targets international tourists away from Seoul",
    "Runs until December 13, 2023"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The Korea Tourism Organization's campaign aims to shift international tourist traffic away from Seoul and towards regional areas, simplifying travel arrangements and promoting local cultural experiences.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "KTO launches campaign to draw int'l tourists beyond capital city",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/kto-launches-campaign-to-draw-intl-tourists-beyond-capital-city-12537409",
        "published": "2026-10-07T03:52:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}