Korea Tourism Organization - History of KTO

History of KTO

  • 1961 : The Tourism Promotion Law is enacted.
  • 1962 : The International Tourism Corporation (ITC) is established and given the responsibility for promoting Korea’s undeveloped tourism industry through the direct management of some major hotels, taxis and the Korea Travel Bureau, as well as by training human resources to support the travel trade.
  • 1968 : The number of foreign visitors passes the 100,000 mark.
  • 1969 : The Hotel Institute is opened. The first overseas office opens in Tokyo.
  • 1971 : Development of Bomun Lake Resort in Gyeongju begins.
  • 1978 : Korea attracts over one million foreign visitors.
  • 1982 : The International Tourism Corporation is renamed as Korea National Tourism Corporation (KNTC).
  • 1988 : The number of foreign visitors passes over two-million.
  • 1991 : The number of foreign visitors passes over three-million.
  • 1996 : The company’s name is changed from Korea National Tourism Corporation to Korea National Tourism Organization.
  • 1998 : Kumgangsan Diamond Mountains tour begins.
  • 2000 : Korea attracts over 5 million foreign visitors.
  • 2003 : Kumgangsan Diamond Mountains land route tour begins. Hallyu (Korea Wave) becomes the major theme of the KTO's overseas marketing. United States branch offices issue newsletter bulletins; offices are located in Los Angeles and New York City.
  • 2005 : KTO reshuffles its organizational structure into 6 divisions. KTO introduces its new corporate identity. Korea attracts over 6.5 million visitors from abroad.

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