Elaboration on the sectors of travel industry in destination
Accommodation
Seoul has a high-quality backpack boarding house and a top quality hotel. However, Seoul is more well-known with their homestays and Hanok (Korean traditional house) which is more fascinating. Apart from that, foreign tourist can experience with Korean life and culture in an ordinary Korean household, they also able to meet another traveller from all around the world in such affordable and tradition guesthouses.
I. Apartment
“Jeonse”, a key money deposit or a housing rental system that happen in Korea. This system is usually more suitable for those who with cash on hand. This system could let a traveller live in a Seoul’s apartment with rent free but it’s only with a specific term which means the traveller have to pay a tremendous amount of security deposit. It could cost 30000000 won to more than 100000000 won (about RM10,758 to more than RM36,5981) for only a small studio apartment. The money will be return back to the traveller while they decided to move out. By law, the Jeonse system only signed for two years. However, for those travellers that with a tight budget could rent an apartment through the “Wolse” which mean a monthly rent system. If a foreigner that wanted to pay the wolse for the apartment, they need to make sure that they will not be totally broke because the security deposit (aka key money) for lodging in Seoul is quite expensive. The security deposit can easily cost 5000000 won to 20000000 won (about RM 18,299 to RM 73,197). There are 4 types housing in Seoul such as:
a. The “Villas” apartments
The Villas exist at the local residential area, most of it are about two to five stories high and generally without elevators. This type of apartment usually recognized by bathrooms without separate shower stalls or “furnished” and “unfurnished rooms” which mean the guest may or may not get the furniture such as a refrigerator or a washing machine.
b. The “Officetel” apartments
The “Officetel” is a word which comes from “office” and “hotel”, its used as both offices and accommodation for the guest. This apartment is more to who wanted to find a nicer apartment in Seoul. This apartment could be found in the metropolises of Korea, unlike villa apartment, officetel generally rent out with refrigerator, washing machine and its also provide drawers that are built into the walls. Apart from that, this apartment generally is extremely new, and it’s very close to the subway station or the transportation hubs. The guest that live in this apartment also takes an advantage to have a meal or buying things easily because there is stores, restaurants, cafes, nail salons and other businesses located on the bottom few floors. Naturally, this apartment will be more expensive compared to others, its cost about 1000000 won (about RM 3629) or more.
c. Apartments (For Family)
Generally, “apartments” in Korea are more suitable for families because they provided the most amount of room. But this apartment is quite expensive since its bigger, this apartment may cost 250 million won (about RM101,4363) or more to buy. Although this apartment is available for the “jeonse” and “wolse” system, but it will still cost a huge amount of money.
d. Goshiwon
This apartment is saving the most money, it’s so small which its just could fit a bed and a desk, sometimes it might have a space between the bed and the desk could squeeze a closet. Generally, this apartment is more suitable for the student but it also could be rented by who need to save their money. This apartment usually provide free wifi and TV, and some of them may provides free rice and kimchi is included starting with an affordable price which is 200000 won (about RM 729) for a month.
II. Motels
In Korea, motels been known as “love motels”. However, this type of accommodation is recommended because its was affordable and merit because its usually come with flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi and a nice bathroom. Recent years, some motels have decided to style themselves as “theme motels” and “party motels”, and as the time past, motels is more acceptable to the public. This time, motels are not just providing a bed, its also provide entertainment equipment such as in-suite swimming pool, karaoke machines, pool tables and a barbecue grills too. Theme motels in Seoul are interesting, eye-catching and it is more affordable compared to others.
III. Hotels
Hotels in Korea classified though the stars of the hotel, five-star is the highest rate for a hotel. Typically, a standard five-star hotel’s room could cost 2000000 won to 350000 won (not included extra service and facilities), and a delux room could cost 400000 won to 500000 won, but it change according season. Most of the hotel provide free wireless networking and some of it might provide free breakfast.
Adventure and Recreation
Seoul has 3 theme parks which is the most well-known amusement parks in Korea. The Lotte World, Everland and the Seoul land. These theme park are having all the entertainment complexes with some interesting theme.
a) The Lotte World
Lotte World is a theme park that most patronized by tourists. This theme park is divided into two part which is “Adventure”(the indoor part of the park) and the “Magic Island”(the outdoor part of the park). The magic island has most of the park’s thrill rides and coaster, it’s also provided with the great photo opportunities at the Lotte World’s castle too. However, the indoor Adventure contains many of the other attraction such as the World Carnival Parade which usually start from 14:00 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 20:00. This theme park is open late 365 days a year. The nighttime tickets are cheaper from 17:00 to 23:00 so it’s good for those who seek for the nighttime activity.
b) Everland
Everland is the largest theme park in Korea, and it’s been selected by the U.S. 'Amusement Business.' as the top 5 theme park in the world because Everland owns so much land and involve a huge amount of works such as do research and plan carefully for the tourist is planning a trip to Everland. Everland will conduct a floral festival each season and its zoo is the best in Korea nearby with the Carribean Bay water park and Hoam Art Museum.
c) Seoul Land
Compare to Lotte Land and Everland, Seoul Land is more suitable for a household. The equipment is mostly designed for children. The Seoul Grand Park and National Museum of Contemporary Art made Seoul land a perfect stop and the Sky-X and Shot-X Drop got the enthusiastic response from the guest.
Attraction
I. The “Gyeongbokgung”
During the occupation of Japanese in 1592 to1598, the premises had been destroyed but the palace’s rooms have been repaired during the domination of King Gojong under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun. In addition, Gyengbokgung Palace has been identified as the prettiest and remains the grandest of all five palaces. The admission fees could cost 3000 won (about RM 11) for an adult (ages 19-64) and 2400 won (about RM 9) for an adult’s group (10 peoples or more). However, the admission fees are cheaper for the youth (ages 7-18) which cost only 1500 won (about RM 6) and 1200 won (about RM 5) for a group.
II. Myeongdong
Myeongdong is all about the fashion, this place is the most famous shopping district of Seoul. It is a place where peoples like to shops for the Korean Cosmetic Brands. Myeongdong also contains many types of the family restaurant or a Korean, western, and Japanese dining restaurant. However, Myeongdong dining is more specialise in pork cutlet (donkas) and kalguksu (thick noodles). Myeongdong’s opening hours are 10am to 10 pm every day.
III. The N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower is the symbol of Seoul since it first exposed to the public in 1980. It’s located at Mt.Namsan and offering panoramic views of the city. And now it became a true cultural space with all kind of performance.
IV. Insadong
Insadong is the one of the most unforgettable Seoul’s attraction, it represented the central point of Seoul’s cultural, traditional and craft. Some of the goods that specialised at Insa-dong’s stores can be only purchased in Korea. Apart from that, a tourist that patronised Insadong could have a chance to see all the example of Korea traditional fine art from painting to sculptures at the 100 galleries that located at Insadong.
Transportation
I. Rail
Trains are the one of the most convenient transportation that available in Korea. The railroad doesn’t have any traffic’s problem and it makes the train reach one destination right on time according to the schedules which mean it allowing the passenger to move to the other destination on time. Korea trains categorised based on their speed and the capacity to accommodate the passenger. Ticket price is based on the trains and the distance travelled. The KORAIL pass which is the restricted railway pass for the foreign tourist are a good option to travel all along Korea it allows unlimited use for all trains.
II. Subways
Subways are the most recommended public transportation by Korean and the foreign tourist. It makes the tourist travel easier as it connects one point to another point in a short time. Subways are now operated at Seoul, and Seoul’s subways have been rank as the top because of the size and the number where it centres the city. The basic fare for 10km of the subway could cost 1350 won for an adult which is 19 years old or older by using cash and 1350 won for teens which are 13 to 18 years old. However, peoples can choose to get rechargeable cards like T-money or M-pass for multiple uses or buy a single journey ticket with cash.
III. Taxis
There are abundant of taxis in Korea is clean and safe. It also the fastest transportation, taxis in Korea could be found at the taxi station in most of the city area or request it by phone but it could be more expensive to have a taxis that requested by phone. By the way, the pre-paid public transportation card (T-money)also are acceptable by a taxis.
IV. Buses
Buses are the most common transportation in Seoul because it is the most affordable transportation provided. The fares of buses are depending on the bus that a passenger takes, it cost 1200 won for an adult that take the green and the blue buses while 2300 won for the red bus (connector buses).