The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister CHAE Hwi-young, MCST), together with the Korea Tourism Association (KTA), will host the Korea Travel Expo 2026 from March 19 (Thursday) to 22 (Sunday) at the COEX Magok Exhibition Center and Magok Square. Second Vice Minister KIM Dae-hyun of MCST will attend the opening ceremony on March 19 to celebrate the expo’s opening and take part in hands-on programs.

Now in its 23rd year, the Korea Travel Expo is Korea’s leading domestic travel expo, showcasing tourism resources nationwide and boosting interest in domestic travel. Under this year’s theme, “Travel Beyond the Everyday, Journeys That Benefit Local Communities,” the expo aims to make travel a more accessible part of everyday life while spreading domestic travel demand more evenly across regions, thereby contributing to regional prosperity. A total of 160 organizations, including local governments, tourism agencies, and industry stakeholders, will operate 385 booths, offering a wide range of domestic travel information and presenting diverse programs.

At the opening ceremony, Venerable Sunjae, known for promoting temple cuisine globally through appearances on Culinary Class Wars 2 and Monks in the Kitchen, will give a lecture, conduct a live cooking demonstration, and offer a tasting session for 100 preregistered participants.

Regional Tourism Content in One Place, Showcasing the Appeal of Domestic Travel

Inside the exhibition halls, visitors can explore promotional pavilions featuring tourism resources from across the country, along with travel content and products that reflect the distinctive character of each region. With a focus on regional tourism and stay-based, hands-on travel experiences that allow visitors to engage with local nature, culture, and lifestyles, the expo will present new possibilities for regional tourism. Themed halls on gastronomy tourism, nighttime tourism, regional travel, and island and marine tourism will highlight emerging trends in domestic travel and the appeal of regional destinations.

At the outdoor Magok Square, the Korea Local Food Market and Korea Flea Market will feature local small businesses and regional brands to offer local foods, specialty products, and a variety of hands-on experiences. Through these programs, the expo will introduce a model of mutual growth that connects domestic travel with regional economies and expand the foundation for collaboration with local small businesses.

Promoting Local Travel and Turning Interest into Actual Trips

The expo will also focus on building a tourism ecosystem that turns expo visits into actual trips to regional destinations and tourism spending in local communities. Through the Regional Balanced Development Conference, local governments and tourism industry stakeholders will discuss the future direction of regional tourism and explore new tourism products and ways to revitalize local tourism. An Island Pavilion will also showcase the appeal of Korea’s islands and marine tourism resources, highlighting new tourism content based on regional natural assets and presenting strategies for revitalizing travel to regional destinations. In addition, programs such as the “Wellness, Healing, Marine, and Open Tourism Project Briefing” will share information on tourism initiatives involving local governments and the tourism industry. These efforts aim to support regional travel content development, helping ensure that the travel information and experiences offered at the expo lead to actual visits to local communities.