KOREA has embarked on an ambitious plan to become one of the world's top 10 tourism countries by 2000. The project began this year with the designation of 1994 as Visit Korea Year. It aimed to attract about 4.5 million tourists, boosting tourism revenue to US$5 billion. To reach a top 10 tourism ranking by the turn of the century, the number of visitors will have to hit seven million. But the entire nation was becoming involved in the gigantic tourism promotion project, Hur Duk-soo, director of the Korea National Tourism Corporation's Hong Kong office, said. The nation was investing in its 5,000-year-old culture, restoring ancient monuments, reviving traditions and promoting folk festivals like never before, he said. New facilities and services for foreign tourists had been introduced or upgraded. Many additional hotels had been developed and a yogwan (Korean-style inn) and minbak (home-stay accommodation) programme was being upgraded to provide economical rooms and promote international friendship among visitors touring the country. For a glimpse into Korean life, a stopover in a yogwan or minbak is highly recommended. In the bedroom of a traditional yogwan, the guest is provided with a mattress called a yo, a quilt known as ibul and a pillow called pegae. In chilly weather, the room is warmed by the ondoll, Korea's unique system of under-floor heating. Room prices range from $150 to $300 a night. Even cheaper are minbak rooms, which range from $80 to $300 a night, and accommodate up to four people (in Korea, prices are always charged by the room, not the number of people in them). Traditionally, minbak accommodation in family homes has been available to Koreans travelling the countryside. Now, the government has persuaded families in cities to open their homes to tourists as well.
