Implementing Information Offering Standard

for Improving Foreign Tourism Packages Including Shopping and Optional Tourism

- Improvement in 「Information Offering Standard of foreign travel packages」 and giving participation mark in May-

Information Offering Standard of foreign travel packages that came into effect in July 2014 to promote the interests and rights of consumers who travel overseas will be completed on the first-stage in May. Accordingly, major travel agencies that took part in the business will be able to use participation mark of Information Offering Standard of foreign travel packages.

Information Offering Standard is based on determination by the Korea Tourism Organization(President Han Kyeon-pyo), the Korea Tourism Organization(President Jung, Chang-su), the Korea Association of Travel Agents(President Yang Mu-seong) and 17 travel agencies that agreed on last December.

Information Offering Standard includes ▲ a clear mark of alternative schedules when not selecting optional tourism so that consumers will be guaranteed for optional choices ▲ providing accurate information on shopping(better location service on the homepage and indicating the number of shopping and products) and not avoiding labeling mark on returns or refunds ▲ improving information mark and consumer consents when special terms regarding contract cancellation apply ▲ improving information mark and consumer consents when changing travel schedules ▲ improving location service and mark on providing important information on the homepage. These are the requirements by consumers who use package tours for foreign travel.

On the other hand, for the effective implementation of Information Offering Standard, the Korea Consumer Agency and the Korea Tourism Organization will look into 15 online product information of popular tourism attractions twice a year (June, October). If travel agencies failed to implement Information Offering Standard they would get a warning. And if they ignore the warning again, they would be banned from using participation mark of Information Offering Standard.

The latest foreign travel markets have undergone change with an increase in foreign travel(23,300 outbound travelers in 2016 ), turning package tours into FIT and changing tourism attractions. In these circumstances, consumer complaints against travel products vary. The Korea Consumer Agency and the Korea Tourism Organization will review providing additional information about the second-stage FIT following the first-stage package tours. They will also work together to deal with a decrease in consumer complaints and unfair practices.