KOREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION HISTORY
The Korea Tourism Organization contributes to national economic development and public welfare through tourism promotion, tourism resource development, tourism industry-related R&D, and projects for nurturing and training tourism professionals.
2025
- 2023 Visit Korea Year 2023-2024
2020
- 2019 Number of foreign tourists exceeded 17.5 million
- 2018 Designated a quasi-government agency according to the “Act on the Management of Public Institutions”
- 2016 Surpassed 17 million foreign visitors
- 2014 Surpassed 14 million foreign visitors headquarters relocated to Wonju
- 2012 Surpassed 11 million foreign visitors
2010
- 2010 Visit Korea Year 2010-2012
- 2009 Ranked #1 among state-owned companies in the government’s management assessment
- 2008 Official English name changed from Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) to Korea Tourism Organization (KTO)
- 2006 Opening of Geumgangsan branch office
- 2005 Changed organization’s CI; opening of Grand Korea Leisure (subsidiary company)
- 2004 Hosted Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) annual summit; opening of investment promotion agency
- 2003 Initiated land tours to Geumgangsan Mountain
- 2002 Operated tourism planning group for World Cup and Asian Games
- 2001 KTO duty free shop relocated to Incheon International Airport
2000
- 2000 Surpassed 5 million foreign visitors
- 1999 Closed Gyeongju Hotel School
- 1998 Attracted 4.25 million foreign tourists
- 1997 Built and operated a family hotel in Jumunjin
- 1996 English name changed from Korea National Tourism Corporation (KNTC) to Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO)
- 1995 Merger with Southwestern Tourism Development Organization
- 1994 Hosted Visit Korea Year events (total of 318 events, including commemorative event for the “600th Anniversary of Seoul’s Foundation as Korea’s Capital) Hosted the 3 major PATA events (annual summit, Travel Mart, PATA Chapters World Congress)
- 1993 Supported events for Daejeon Expo Established Southwestern Tourism Development Organization (subsidiary company)
- 1991 Attracted 3.2 million foreign tourists Preparation for development plan for Hwawon Tourism Complex in Haenam
1990
- 1989 Merger with Jeju Tourism Development Organization
- 1988 Attracted 2.34 million foreign tourists Contributed to successful hosting of 1988 Summer Olympics (PR and events)
- 1986 Opening of Tourist Information Center (TIC) Contributed to successful hosting of 1986 Asian Games (PR and events)
- 1983 Hosted American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) annual meeting
- 1982 Organization’s name changed to KNTC Initiated development of Jungmun Tourist Complex in Jeju
1980
- 1980 Established Jeju Tourism Development Organization (subsidiary company) Initiated development plan of Jungmun Tourist Complex
- 1979 Hosted PATA annual summit Expanded overseas organizational network (1 branch office in 1969 -> 9 branch offices in 1970)
- 1978 Attracted 1.08 million foreign tourists
- 1977 Opening of Tourist Complaint Center Opening of Gyeongju Hotel School (Gyeongju Tourism Education Center)
- 1975 Established Gyeongju Tourism Development Organization (subsidiary company)
- 1973 Initiated development of tourist complex in Seorak-dong
- 1971 Initiated development of Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju
1970
- 1969 Opening of hotel school Opening of Tokyo branch office
- 1968 Attracted 103,000 foreign tourists
- 1962 Established International Tourism Organization Act (currently Korea Tourism Organization Act) Established Korea Tourist Service Incorporated (currently Korea Tourism Organization) Implemented tourism employee license system for hotels (Walker Hill, Bando Hotel, Tower Hotel, Josun Hotel, etc.), Arirang Taxi, and Daehan Travel Agency
- 1961 Established Tourism Business Promotion Act (currently Tourism Promotion Act)