Developing Incheon Transfer and Port-of-Call Tourism Products to Target Overseas Tourists

12 Cruise Ships Arrive This Year... Development of Products by Duration and Theme
Expansion of Transfer Tourism Products Linked to Local Festivals and Integrated Resorts

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City and the Incheon Tourism Organization are targeting overseas tourists by developing various transit and port-of-call tourism products.

Starting from the 19th of next month, 12 cruise ships carrying a total of 18,100 passengers are scheduled to dock at Incheon Port this year.

The city has developed various products in line with the resumption of the cruise market after 3 years and 5 months. Depending on the port stay time ranging from 4 to 8 hours, themed tours of Incheon's history, night views, and international city aspects are tailored to suit the preferences of different travelers for each cruise line and sold accordingly.

The 4-hour course allows visitors to glimpse Korea's modern history by visiting the Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall, Incheon Open Port Modern Architecture Exhibition Hall, Wolmi Traditional Park, Wolmi Sea Train, Chinatown, and more.

The 5-hour course is composed of a night tour of Incheon's nighttime attractions such as Songdo Central Park and Solchan Park, while the 6-hour course includes visits to the fish market, city history museum, and G Tower observatory.

The 8-hour course covers major tourist sites on Ganghwa Island, known as a "living museum," where visitors can experience the Ganghwa Peace Observatory, Yongheung Palace, Ganghwa Anglican Church, Joyang Textile Cafe, and the traditional market.

The city has also prepared meticulous support measures for the increasing number of individual tourists.

Along with providing information on Incheon's major tourist attractions, shuttle bus operations and shopping coupon issuance will assist tourists' convenience and encourage consumption, contributing to the revitalization of the local economy.

Additionally, an arrival event offering various attractions and experiences such as band performances, traditional folk performances, traditional experience zones, and photo zones will be held to increase tourists' disembarkation rates. Vehicle costs will be supported for cruise-specialized travel agencies to boost participation in port-of-call tours.

The Holland America Westerdam ship arrival ceremony is taking place at Incheon Port. February 27, 2019.
[Photo by Incheon City]

Furthermore, international airlines have announced their 2023 summer flight schedules at over 70% of pre-COVID-19 levels, accelerating the recovery of the overseas tourism market.

Incheon City is responding by promoting six day-trip products and eight accommodation products targeting transit passengers through the transit tourism dedicated site operated by the airport corporation.

Day-trip products include visits to Yeongjongdo Yonggungsa Temple, Songdo Central Park and Tri-Bowl, Yeongjongdo Yedanpo Dullegil and Sky Garden, Hyundai Premium Outlet and Triple Street, Sinpo Market and Hanji Craft Experience, and Ganghwa Island Jeondeungsa Temple and Deokjinjin Fortress. Eight experiential, shopping, and history-themed products linked with hotels in the open port area and Songdo have also been prepared.

This year, the transit tourism products will be further expanded by linking local festivals such as the INK (Incheon K-pop) Concert, Songdo World Culture Tourism Festival, and Open Port Night Tour with complex resorts.

The city will also strengthen promotional activities to raise Incheon's recognition as a transit tourism destination and enhance hospitality campaign promotions targeting transit passengers.

Local marketing will be conducted targeting major markets with the highest number of transit passengers, and Incheon’s representative tourism content will be promoted using airline websites and in-flight magazines.

A booth near the entrance where transit passengers arrive will provide information on using public transportation and offer discount coupons for traditional markets, outlets, and shops near accommodation hotels.

An Incheon city official stated, "Our goal this year is to attract tourists equivalent to about 50% of the number of cruise arrivals and the total number of transit travelers."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.