The Korea Tourism Organization has invited Japanese tourists with disabilities to Korea in its effort to offer more travel opportunities to underprivileged people.

A group of 30 Japanese tourists from Fukuoka accompanied by their caretakers started their tour on Tuesday in Seoul, and are expected to visit major tourist attractions in the city including Myeong-dong, Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Hanok Village and Han River through Friday.

“We will make tourism barrier-free for people with disabilities and provide convenient access to tourism facilities and services for them under our slogan ‘Tourism for All,’” said KTO’s CEO Lee Charm. 

“More than 3 million Japanese people visit Korea annually. But there are also underprivileged people who can’t travel freely to the country,” said Lee.

He took time to explain things about Korea to the group on Wednesday morning during a walk along Cheongyecheon, the stream running through central Seoul.

“The KTO will carry out our social responsibility through tourism and continue to hold travel programs for the underprivileged and facilitate exchanges with foreign countries through such programs,” Lee noted.

The KTO conducted the travel program with the Korean Consulate in Fukuoka and Korea’s T’way Air.

Last week, the tourism organization arranged tours within the country for Koreans who can’t afford to travel due to economic and physical difficulties.

A total of 1,700 people and 100 volunteers participated in the organized tours that included visits to tourist attractions in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province and traditional local markets in the countryside.

By Lee Woo-young  (wylee@heraldcorp.com)