The Korea Tourism Organization (President Ahn Young-bae) launched a new text chat service on the 9th, 'Tourism Interpretation Information Call 1330', which guides domestic and foreign tourists 24 hours a day by phone.
Introduced in line with the trend of increasing communication through text rather than voice, the text chat tour guide service operates 24 hours a day, like existing services over the phone, and is offered in a total of five languages: Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese (Simplified, Traditional). Counseling through text chat can share images or URLs in real-time, and it has the advantage of not having to record the contents received. Also, hearing-impaired people who were alienated from existing services that were only conducted by phone will be able to receive real-time tour guides.
The chat service can be used by clicking the Travel Counseling icon on the mobile app 'Every corner of Korea' and the website (korean.visitkorea.or.kr), and you can search for '1330 Tourist Information' on Kakao Talk and connect it. Foreigners can also use the construction foreign language app 'Visit Korea' and Line and Facebook Messenger.
Meanwhile, as text chat services become available, it is expected that more on-site tourist information services will be available. The corporation is also working with local governments across the country to prepare a service in which local tour information center guides directly participate in the guidance through multilateral chatting. The service aims to be launched within the first half of this year.
Jeong Chang-wook, head of the tourism industry at the corporation, said, "We prepared this service because it has the advantages of text chat, such as improving the convenience of people who are getting more used to text communication today, and keeping consultation records." "If we get specialized information of the region through professional counselors and check the scheduled visit and itinerary, users will be able to enjoy a more satisfactory trip," he said, expressing expectations for the service.
