Korea Tourism Roadshow Draws 500+ Travel Trade Professionals, Signalling Fresh India Growth

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Korea Tourism is making a major push in Chennai, and the latest roadshow suggests that Tamil Nadu is becoming an increasingly important market for Korea-bound Indian travellers. At the Korea Tourism roadshow, more than 500 travel trade professionals met 16 Korean destination management companies and five airline partners.

The event, held at ITC Grand Chola on 11 September 2026, also brought the Korea Visa Application Centre directly into discussions with the trade. Meanwhile, senior tourism officials and industry associations joined the programme, adding weight to the growing relationship. Most importantly, the event highlighted Korea’s efforts to improve regional connectivity and build long-term partnerships across southern India.

The Korea Tourism Organization New Delhi Office (KTO) has strengthened its engagement with India’s southern travel market after hosting a major travel mart and roadshow in Chennai on 11 September 2026.

Held at the ITC Grand Chola, the event brought together Korean tourism businesses, airline representatives, government officials and Tamil Nadu’s travel trade community. More than 500 travel trade professionals attended, underlining the scale of interest in Korea as an overseas destination for Indian travellers.

16 Korean DMCs and Five Airlines Join Event

A key feature of the Chennai roadshow was the participation of 16 Korean destination management companies (DMCs) alongside five airline partners. Their presence gave travel agents and other industry professionals an opportunity to discuss Korean destinations, travel products, ground arrangements and connectivity directly with suppliers.

The format also highlighted the growing importance of southern India within Korea’s tourism strategy. Rather than focusing solely on established source markets, the event created a platform for deeper engagement with travel businesses in Tamil Nadu and the wider southern region.

Representatives from the Korea Visa Application Centre also attended. Their participation allowed members of the travel trade to gain direct information about visa procedures and address practical questions concerning travel to Korea.

Senior Officials Highlight Tourism Cooperation

The event attracted senior representatives from both Korea and Tamil Nadu.

Ms Hyeran Chun, Consul General at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Chennai, attended alongside Mr Raja Gopal Sunkara, IAS, Director of Tourism and Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation.

Mr Nam Soo Park, Head of the Korea Visa Application Centre, was also present.

The event further drew members of prominent travel trade organisations, including the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA) and SKÅL International India.

Their participation reflected the broader industry interest in expanding tourism links between Korea and India’s southern travel market.

KTO Focuses on Connectivity and Long-Term Growth

For Ms Cho Yoonmi, Director of the Korea Tourism Organization New Delhi Office, the scale of participation in Chennai represented an important signal.

She said the presence of 16 DMCs and five airline partners demonstrated how seriously the industry is taking Korea as a growing destination for Indian travellers.

Cho Yoonmi also emphasised the importance of airline connectivity from southern India. According to the KTO director, the organisation is working with airline partners to strengthen connectivity from the region and make travel to Korea easier for passengers based in the south.

Her visit to Chennai was also significant as it marked her first visit to the city. She described the response from the travel trade as encouraging and said KTO intends to develop long-term partnerships across Tamil Nadu and the southern region.

THE PAINTERS Add Korean Cultural Showcase

The business-focused programme was complemented by a cultural presentation designed to give attendees another perspective on contemporary Korea.

The KTO team presented an overview of Korea’s tourism offerings before THE PAINTERS took the stage. The Korean live art performance group is known for combining painting, music, dance and visual artistry in an interactive performance format.

The evening ended with a gala dinner attended by travel trade partners, government officials and industry representatives.

Cause: Korea is seeking to expand its appeal among Indian travellers beyond its established markets, while southern India represents a substantial outbound travel base. Answer: The Chennai roadshow provided a direct platform for Korean DMCs, airlines, visa representatives and tourism stakeholders to connect with more than 500 local travel professionals. Reason: Better trade relationships can make destination information, holiday planning, visa guidance and air connectivity easier for travel sellers to understand and promote. The presence of five airline partners was particularly important because convenient connectivity can influence destination choice. Therefore, KTO’s Chennai engagement reflects a practical strategy: strengthen the trade network first, improve access and then encourage sustained visitor growth.

Why the Chennai Roadshow Matters

The Chennai event points to a broader strategy by Korea to deepen engagement with India’s regional travel markets. Bringing DMCs, airlines, visa representatives and tourism stakeholders together in one forum can help travel professionals address the practical issues involved in selling and planning Korea holidays.

For Tamil Nadu’s outbound travel industry, stronger supplier relationships and improved air connectivity could make Korea more accessible and easier to package for customers.

The immediate impact of the roadshow will depend on how effectively these trade connections translate into bookings and sustained demand. However, the scale of participation provides a clear indication that Korea sees southern India as a market with significant long-term potential.

The Korea Tourism roadshow in Chennai has delivered a strong industry signal at a time when destinations are competing more actively for India’s outbound travellers. More than 500 travel trade professionals attended, while 16 Korean DMCs and five airline partners created a broad commercial platform for direct engagement. The involvement of the Korea Visa Application Centre also addressed one of the most practical aspects of international travel planning.

Beyond the numbers, the event demonstrated KTO’s intention to develop deeper relationships in Tamil Nadu and across southern India. The emphasis on airline connectivity is particularly relevant because easier access can support both leisure and business travel.

The participation of senior Korean and Tamil Nadu officials, major travel associations and tourism businesses added further weight to the initiative. Meanwhile, THE PAINTERS provided a cultural dimension to the programme.

Overall, Chennai has emerged as an important platform for Korea’s southern India tourism strategy, with partnerships and connectivity at its core.