KoreaTourism – Hyeji Kim | Strategic Navigator

By - Hyeji Kim

A War That Seemed to Be Ending — What GCC Tourism Is Actually Going Through

Back in June, the US and Iran signed a 60-day ceasefire memorandum, and for a while it felt like this was finally winding down. Three weeks later, on July 8, that ceasefire collapsed. As of late July, strikes between the two sides are still ongoing. For those of us living in Dubai and working in

By - Hyeji Kim

Unlocking New Potential for K-Tourism in Alexandria: Behind the Scenes of the 2026 K-Tourism Connection

On June 22, 2026, I successfully concluded the “2026 K-Tourism Connection” in Alexandria, Egypt. While the event yielded significant quantitative results—87 business consultations and 34 confirmed sales and bookings—for me, it was a profound experience in realizing how “strategic agility in the field directly translates into tangible outcomes”. 1. “Focus and Concentration”: Tailored B2B Matching

By - Hyeji Kim

[The Solo-PM Survival Guide] Organizing a Global Event Without an Agency

“If you want it done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself.” Recently, I led the 2026 K-Tourism Connection in Alexandria for about 140 industry guests. What many didn’t know is that there was no external production agency. I was the planner, the designer, the copywriter, and the AV technician—all in one. If you

By - Hyeji Kim

Korea Just Hit a Record Tourism Quarter — So Why Was the GCC the Only Market That Fell?

In Q1 2026, Korea welcomed 4.74 million international visitors — a record high, up 22.6% year-on-year. March alone broke 2 million arrivals in a single month for the first time ever. China (+26.9%), Japan (+20.1%), Taiwan (+37.2%), and Europe (+27.5%) all posted double-digit growth. But one market stood apart. The GCC was the only major

By - Hyeji Kim

The Strategic Advantage of the “Quiet Period”: Decoding Outbound Travel Trends from the Middle East to Korea

The travel industry is currently experiencing a quiet period in the region. However, as a project manager focusing on strategic partnerships, I believe this is not downtime—it is prep time. Between September and November 2024, I surveyed 298 travel trade partners across Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Türkiye regarding Korea as a destination. The data I

By - Hyeji Kim

Strategic Outlook: Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Market in 2026

After two years of on-the-ground market development at the KTO Dubai Office, I’ve synthesized my field experience and market data into a comprehensive analysis of the Saudi Arabian tourism market. While the 2026 Middle East conflict has created undeniable volatility, I believe the fundamental growth potential of this market is stronger than ever. 1. Market