MODULE 3: ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND SHOPPING

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1 MODULE 3: ACCOMMODATION, FOOD AND SHOPPING South Korea has a wide range of accommodation options for your guests stay. South Korea boasts of the conventional as well as the unconventional style of accommodation. The accommodation in South Korea can be widely divided into 3 main categories, namely - Homestays and Guest Houses, Hanokstays, Templestays, Benikea and Hotels. Let us take you through each of the categories so that you can plan the perfect holiday experience for your guests. C o n t e n t P a r t n e r :

2 HOMESTAYS AND GUESTHOUSES These are the eccentric, affordable, secure and very extraordinary style of accommodation available in South Korea. Selected homestays and guesthouses in Korea provide international visitors with a special opportunity to experience South Korean culture and lifestyle by living with a South Korean family. These are popularly called Koreastays. Koreastay is a Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) brand that certifies city accommodations. Koreastay hosts are carefully selected after undergoing strict assessment of such criteria as residential environment, guestroom & cleanliness, mindset, service and convenience. Koreastay provides a great way of exploring and experiencing the South Korean culture and lifestyle and thus fascinates the Immersive Travellers. 2 Koreastay hosts, found in major cities and tourist sites throughout South Korea, are prepared to welcome their foreign guests with open arms, provide comfortable accommodation and home-cooked meals and offer local travel information. To your guests who are in search of an unconventional stay option, you can offer Koreastay. They can experience the essence of a modern South Korean family and the beginning of a new friendship. Price range is US$ 10 US$ 40. Search for Homestays Search for Guesthouses

3 BENIKEA 3 BENIKEA is partly government owned budget hotel chain in South Korea, a portmanteau of the phrase "Best Night in South Korea." BENIKEA is operated by Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in association with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. BENIKEA aims to offer guests premium vacation accommodations at a reasonable price, serving both local and foreign travelers. These are an excellent choice for Indian travelers that seek an economical option without sacrificing comfort. BENIKEA hotels are located all across the country - from major metropolitan cities to charming rural towns. Each hotel offers unique features - from a convenient location, exciting nearby downtown area or proximity to the airport to excellent ocean views, exciting hot springs, nearby ski resorts and more. Benikea official website

4 Hanokstays Hanok is a traditional Korean house. Hanok Stay refers to staying in a traditional Korean house. Old furniture, paper-pasted windows, and props like soy jars add to the traditional ambiance. It is a good opportunity to experience traditional Korean lifestyle and culture. The traditional houses available for hanok stays are decades to hundreds of years old. They have been somewhat renovated for the convenience and safety of its guests, but the traditional Korean style and sentiment are still retained. Some houses offer various programs to experience Korean culture, including tea ceremonies, pottery making and traditional Korean folk games. Simple meals are usually available at an extra charge. Houses for hanok stay vary in size; some are very large with a guest house and a main building, while others are small with only bedrooms and a living room. Room rates also vary widely. You are recommended to consider various factors when choosing one, such as the room rate and nearby tourist attractions. Click here for more information

5 Templestays While in South Korea, your guests can opt for a stay in Templestays. It is a unique opportunity to experience Korean Buddhism, its daily lifestyle, rituals and spirituality. It generally entails staying at a Buddhist temple and engaging in daily monastic activities. A templestay provides sanctuary from the hussle of city life, as well as time and space for meditation and healing. Generally, a templestay program includes a Buddhist service, seon meditation, the 108 prostrations, and communal work. Some programs also educate participants on monastic meal offerings and tea ceremonies. Another common program is lotus lantern making, a form of Buddhist art; the lotus is the symbol of a light shining brightly in the dark world. Lanterns are hung on Buddha s Birthday, April 8 of the lunar calendar at all the temples and throughout cities across Korea. During the month of Buddha's birthday, a variety of events such as the Lotus Lantern Festival are held throughout the nation, attracting many tourists from near and far. Click here for more information

6 HOTELS 6 These are standard commercial properties of different star category run by independent, South Korean brands and global brands all across the country. The major global hotel brands have their hotels in all the major tourist destinations of South Korea. Hotels in South Korea are classified according to the number of stars they qualify for from five-star to one-star, with fivestar being the highest rating. Generally, the prices of the accommodation vary according to locations as well as seasons. In particular, major hotels in the five-star category offer complimentary breakfast and wireless internet in addition to access to a fitness center, sauna, business center, restaurants and cafes. For more information please download the list of Hotels from the resource center

7 DELICACIES While on a vacation, every Indian Traveller wishes for a comprehensive experience involving sightseeing, stay, relaxation and most importantly food. South Korea is a gastronomical delight for Indian Travellers as the country s delicacies are full of flavours and spices to tickle the taste buds of your guests. The recommended dishes that your guests can savour while on a vacation in South Korea are 7 Bibimbap, literally meaning mixed rice, is a combination of rice, meat and vegetables infused with spices and herbs giving it rich colours and aroma. For your vegetarian guests, the dish can be customized to replace meat with exotic vegetables. Samgyetang or Ginseng Chicken Soup is a warm rich flavoured soup where Ginseng herb is used predominantly. Kimchi, a staple South Korean cuisine, is a traditional side dish made from salted, fermented vegetables, most commonly napa cabbage and South Korean radishes with a variety of seasonings including chilly powder, scallions, garlic, ginger and salted seafood. There are hundreds of varieties of kimchi made with different vegetables as the main ingredients. Bingsu, a South Korean dessert prepared with Red Bean paste as the base, adding crushed ice, ice cream and different kinds of fruits as the topping. It is a very delicious dessert which should be recommended to your guests while in South Korea. Chimaek, is a combination of South Korean fried chicken and beer. It is a very popular dish among South Koreans as well as visitors from around the world. A classic combination to satiate the taste buds of your guests. Soju, a variety of South Korean wine prepared from rice. It is widely available and the favourite drink of the locals. Indian travellers should give it a shot while on a vacation in South Korea. South Korean cuisines are gaining popularity all over the world for its distinct aroma and nutrition benefits. Rice is the staple food and the cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of meat and fish dishes along with herbs and vegetables. Apart from the dishes mentioned above, there is an abundance of options for your guests to taste South Korean delicacies. Click here for more information

8 INDIAN RESTAURANTS 8 South Korea has a lot of options for Indian Food as it is a growing trend. Indian food is popular with local South Korean people and your guests will find Indian restaurants in abundance. Currently, there are more than 100 Indian restaurants in South Korea. Some of the Indian Restaurants are: Ganga Gangnam, Seoul: As the name suggests, Ganga is an authentic Indian restaurant. The dishes are prepared by a chef from India with over 20 years of experience in Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of 125 people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small groups. Moghul Restaurant, Itaewon, Seoul: It is Korea s first Pakistani restaurant with a range of délectable Mughlai cuisine. The outdoor seating in a lush garden adds to the excellent dining experience. With a seating capacity of 100 people, this restaurant is ideal for FIT and small groups. Taj Taste of India - Myongdong, Seoul: The Taj offers unique dining experience. The restaurant presents constantly evolving menus and a carefully matched wine list all designed to reflect an ethos of innovation and relativity Aromatic spices are the essence of the TAJ's cuisine, making it different from others in the same. Bagdad Café, Jeju Island: Bagdad is an Indian restaurant located near Jeju City Hall. Its chef, who is from India, offers high-quality traditional Indian dishes that draw tourists and locals from all across the world. For a winning taste combination, try one of the curries with a side of nan. Punjab, Busan: Located near haeundae beach, this restaurant offers delicious Indian food. The cozy and warm ambience and friendly staff make the dining experience an wonderful affair. Raj Mahal, Jeju Island: Rajmahal is an Indian restaurant located in Jeju Island. Popular dishes on the menu include curry, nan, and tandoori chicken. The elegant and comfortable exotic feel of the restaurant is another draw for diners coming to get their share of delicious Indian cuisine. With a seating capacity of 65 people, the restaurant is ideal for FIT and small family groups. For the detailed list of Indian Restaurants, please refer to the Resource Section

9 SHOPPING 93 South Korea is one of the most dynamic and vibrant countries in the world. In the short time following its dramatic and impressive development, it has managed to maintain the delicate balance between preserving its impressive history and traditional heritage and embracing all the conveniences and technology of the modern world. This dichotomy of old and new is reflected in South Korea s diversity of shopping and tourist destinations. South Korea is a shopper s paradise and your guests will be delighted by both the glittering department stores and shopping malls and the charming traditional markets. There is no better place to go than South Korea for an all-inclusive getaway of shopping, touring and entertainment. All the major tourist destinations like Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island have a variety of shopping options comprising glamorous shopping malls and quaint traditional markets.

10 SHOPPING IN SEOUL 4 Seoul has the most exciting and vivacious dedicated shopping districts where you guests can shop to their hearts content. Most of these shopping districts are located in Northern Seoul near the Downtown. Areas such as Myeongdong, Dongdaemun Market and Namdaemun Market draw millions of international tourists every year to their renowned shopping centers. Each place preserves its own distinct culture a traditional market with over 600 years of history is located in the heart of Seoul while other places specialize in splendid luxury brands, clothing, cosmetics or electronics.

11 While in Seoul, you can recommend your guests to explore these markets for a joyous shopping experience - 11 Myeong Dong, the favourite and the most popular shopping destination among tourists. Your guests will be spoilt for choices among the famous shopping products like cosmetics, clothes, bags, etc. It is conveniently located in the heart and downtown area of Seoul city. This is famous for clothing, accessories, cosmetics, eyeglasses and souvenirs. Click here for more information Dongdaemun Market, a 24 hours open market and shopping destination in Seoul which has large shopping malls and your guests can purchase fashionable clothes and accessories at a very reasonable price. There are more than stores in Dongdaemun. Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a modern monument and attraction in the centre of the market area. Click here for more information Namdaemun Market, the biggest traditional market in South Korea with a historical legacy of over 600 years. The market is located in the downtown area at a walking distance of 10 min from the famous Myeong dong shopping district. This wholesale market s narrow streets are lined with a colorful mix of stores offering different kinds of items at reasonable prices, such as: children s clothes, men s/women s clothing, accessories, home goods, utensils, electronics, wedding items, stationery, folk crafts, local produce and imported goods. For those hoping to experience the feel of the traditional market as well as find some good bargains, Namdaemun Market is definitely the place to go. Click here for more information

12 SHOPPING IN BUSAN 12 Busan, the second largest city in Korea, is famous for tourist attractions and shopping districts. Giant department stores; such as Shinsegae Centum City, the largest department store in the world and numerous shopping streets offer a wide selection of merchandise, drawing local and international visitors year-round. Busan is home to the Jagalchi Market, famous for its astounding variety of fresh seafood sold at extremely reasonable prices.

13 Your guests can visit these main shopping destinations of Busan for an overwhelming experience - 13 Gukje Market, the largest traditional market in Busan, is a place immersed in history and bursting with the old-fashioned marketplace spirit. It treats guests to the boisterous, vibrant marketplace experience and the incomparable hospitality of the merchants and citizens of Busan. Click for more information Centum City, the largest shopping mall in the world, is a new urban development project in Busan. It has become Korea s most sought after shopping destination and a major symbol of trendy and upmarket fashion. Centum City is home to Shinsegae Centum City, the largest department store in the world, as well as the Lotte Department Store, an established favorite when it comes to luxury brands. Main shopping items in Centum City include clothing, bags, shoes and in particular- premier luxury items. Click for more information

14 SHOPPING IN JEJU ISLAND 14 Jeju Island is covered with stores featuring unique local products. Fresh tangerines and other Jeju specialties are readily available for purchase in tourist shops and traditional markets such as the Five Day Market. Crafts, specially-dyed clothing and cosmetic items using natural ingredients are other popular souvenirs that embody the unique cultural flavour of Jeju. Most tourist attractions on the island are coupled with their own souvenir stands, featuring products specific to each site in addition to Jeju favourites. Apart from the market areas, your guests will find a variety of distinctive souvenirs at many of the island s museum shops. In addition, three duty-free shops offer famous luxury brand items alongside the many souvenirs and local produce characteristic of Jeju Island. Duty-free shops are located in the Jeju International Airport, on the first floor of the Jeju International Convention Center and across the Grand Hotel near the airport.

15 SHOPPING FESTIVAL IN SOUTH KOREA 15 9 South Korea organizes its annual mega shopping festival called Korea Grand Sale in Jan-Feb (Jan 20th to Feb 28 th ). This shopping festival is conducted all across South Korea, mainly, the major tourist destinations such as Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island. It promotes culture, tourism and shopping to international visitors. Your guests can avail huge discounts in the following - Shopping, Transportation, Accommodation, Ski-Resorts, Culture, Entertainment, Beauty and Wellness Centers, Dining, Convenience Store etc. In particular, many events will be held and convenient services such as free Wi-Fi, language interpretation service, information Centre and others will be available. Click here for more information

16 5 THANK YOU END OF MODULE 3. C o n t e n t P a r t n e r :