Trip.com Group, which operates the online travel platform Trip.com, is intensifying its collaboration with major tourist destinations in South Korea, including Nami Island in Chuncheon, to attract international travelers beyond Seoul. The initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of the Korean tourism industry by combining offline hubs with distinctive local experiences.
On September 6, Trip.com announced the unveiling of its first domestic photo zone for the data-driven travel ranking list, Trip.Best, at Nami Island.
The photo zone is strategically located near the popular photo spot, Central Pine Tree Road, considering visitor flow and accessibility. It features Nami Island's unique character, the 'Nami Island Tree Spirit,' integrated with the Trip.Best branding to harmonize with the pristine natural scenery.
Travelers exploring Nami Island through Trip.Best are increasing rapidly. From January to August this year, clicks for Nami Island via Trip.Best surged by 258% compared to the same period last year, with clicks from foreign travelers rising by 358%.
During the same timeframe, Japan was the leading global market exploring Korean travel destinations through Trip.Best, followed by Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.
The installation of this photo zone is a continuation of Trip.com’s ongoing 'local tourism coexistence' model. The company has been collaborating with Nami Island to offer tailored experience packages aimed at foreign travelers. Notable examples include the 'Nami Island Friend Flower Viewing' package sold exclusively in spring and a discounted 'School Uniform 2-Hour Usage' package that captures Korea's retro culture. The school uniform experience has been well-received among international tourists.
Min Kyung-hyuk, CEO of Nami Island, stated, "The Trip.Best photo zone combines Nami Island's beautiful natural scenery with our character, the 'Nami Island Tree Spirit,' creating a space that offers visitors new enjoyment and special memories. We will continue to discover unique natural and cultural content of Nami Island and strengthen our collaboration with Trip.com Group to enhance our appeal as a global tourist destination that visitors want to return to."
Hong Jong-min, head of Trip.com Korea, expressed, "It is meaningful to establish an offline hub for direct communication with travelers at Nami Island, a representative global tourist destination in Korea. We expect this will significantly enhance Nami Island's brand value as a recommended site by Trip.com Group and help guide international travelers in their local tourism decisions."
The strategy to expand local hubs is also leading to inbound contracts with other tourist sites. In April, Trip.com signed an inbound distribution agreement with Petite France and Italy Village in Gapyeong. Under this agreement, the company will exclusively handle the overseas sales of various products, including single items and integrated tickets, for one year.
Previously, Trip.com achieved similar success through collaboration with Everland, utilizing its global influencer network for marketing aligned with the sale of priority entry tickets for the Panda Second House. As a result, inbound sales increased by over 40% last year. Trip.com plans to apply this approach in the Chuncheon and Gapyeong areas, where Nami Island and Petite France are located, to enhance synergy with its partners.
Additionally, Trip.com is planning to expand the installation of Trip.Best photo zones, currently located in Nami Island, Singapore, and Bangkok, Thailand, to other major tourist destinations in South Korea to increase engagement with global travelers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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