The state-run Korea Tourism Organization said Wednesday that it has secured a sea route linking the southern port city of Yeosu to Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, in preparation of next year’s Yeosu World Expo.
The organization, together with the South Jeolla provincial government and the Yeosu city government, has arranged for a chartered ferry service by Japan’s Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) over the route.
The high-speed ferry “Beatle” will travel once a day between Yeosu port and Fukuoka’s Hakata port during the 2012 Yeosu Expo, scheduled to run May through August next year.
Beatle is capable of accommodating 200 people and takes three hours and 45 minutes for a one-way trip, with the ferry service estimated to cost about 200,000 won ($185.36) per passenger.
JR Kyushu, which test-sailed the ferry on Wednesday, plans to conduct another test sailing in October when the South Jeolla provincial government holds the 2011 Formula One (F1) Korean Grand Prix race.
“Now that the closed sea route between Yeosu and Fukuoka has opened, it will lure more visitors and tourists from Japan to have interest in Yeosu as well,” KTO said.
The 93-day expo, which will kick off in May 2012, is expected to attract over 8 million visitors from more than 100 countries around the world.
