From left to right: Kim Giovacco of Veg Jaunts and Journeys, Donna Zeigfinger of Green Earth Travel, Verena Erhart of Vegan Tours New York, and Brighde Reed of World Vegan Travel.
Four North America-based travel advisors and tour operators joined representatives from the Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) earlier this month to sample what’s on offer for vegans traveling to Korea.
The fam trip, which ran from Oct. 10 through 19, welcomed four selected vegan travel advisors to experience first-hand what Korea can offer for plant-based clients.
“Very often vegan travelers are overlooked,” said Brighde from World Vegan Travel, a Canadian tour operator organizing luxury vegan group tours around the world.
“Despite paying the same price as other travelers they often do not get the same high-quality food experience and pay for activities that are against their core values, especially at the high end of the market. The fact that the Korea Tourism Organization is investing in the growing vegan market is refreshing and something we have never seen before.”
The trip started in Seoul at the Korea Luxury Travel Mart and then took the guests on a six-day tour through Korea, with stops in Yeosu, Busan, Gyeongju, and more. All meals were focused on the vegan traveler, including visits to vegan and non-vegan restaurants alike and meals at temples, which are historically exclusively vegan.
Along with the vegan meals, the tour included activities such as a morning at Jingwansa temple, a visit to Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, and more.
“I was not expecting much from the vegan familiarization trip as too many countries in Asia do not have many vegan options. I was pleasantly surprised by how the Korea Tourism Organization is promoting vegan travel. It will be a breeze to send my clients to Korea,” said Donna Zeigfinger of Maryland’s Green Earth Travel.
