If your attendees are looking for a taste of Korea prior to their meeting or incentive in this exotic locale, just point them toward Korea's www.tour2korea.com. Not only can they learn about the country, but their senses will be piqued via a tour of The Beautiful Sounds of Korea, which features real-time sounds of the majestic E-mil-le bell, a waterwheel turning, or a blacksmith's shop.

vital statistics

Korea Convention Bureau
c/o Korea National Tourism Organization
10 Da-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-180, Korea
Tel.: 82 2 729 9555; Fax: 82 2 778 2326
Sales contact: Deok Hyun Jo
E-mail: mice@knto.or.kr
Web: www.tour2korea.com

New York Office:
(201) 585-0909; (800) 868-7567
Fax: (201) 585-9041; E-mail: kntony@ring3.net

Chicago Office:
Tel.: (312) 981-1717, 18, 19; (800) 868-7567
Fax: (312) 981-1721; E-mail: kntocg@idt.net

Los Angeles Office:
Tel.: (323) 643-0025; (800) 868-7567
Fax: (323) 643-0028; E-mail: kntola@mail.wcis.com

transportation

Incheon International Airport is actually five ports in one: airport, seaport, leisure port, tele-port, and business port. Lying 32 miles west of Seoul, it takes 50 minutes to travel downtown via a dedicated expressway. The country has five other international airports, at Busan, Daegu, Jeju, Cheongju, and Yangyang.

major events in korea

Korea has a long record of handling mega-events, beginning with the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. Upcoming events include the seventh ICCA Congress Exhibition — incorporating the 42nd ICCA General Assembly in 2003 — and the 53rd Pacific Asia Tourism Association Annual Conference in 2004.

reason enough to visit

Korea lies in the temperate zone and has four distinct seasons. The country has retained much of its five-millennium-old cultural heritage and its exotic charm. Among many historical sites, seven are on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

The capital, Seoul, numbers well over 10 million people and has 19,171 guest rooms in a total of 107 hotels. All the mainstream political and cultural activities run through the city, making it a colorful place. Seoul's wide variety of shopping includes arcades, department stores, duty-free shops, and outdoor markets.

Korean cuisine is an adventure in aromas and tastes, making good use of garlic, peppers, soy sauce, and ginger. Outdoor sport in Korea includes mountaineering, yachting, rafting, horseback riding, para-gliding, and skiing, as well as Korean folk games.

A lively entertainment scene blends classic culture with modern trends, and includes classical concerts, traditional dance, nightclubs, bars, and beer halls.