The launch of Jeju Shinhwa World integrated resort brings with it a massive convention centre and fresh entertainment options for the island
The opening of mega integrated resort Jeju Shinhwa World has drawn renewed interest in the South Korean island as a destination for events.
Opened in phases since September last year, the five-star resort is made up of four hotel brands offering at least 2,000 guestrooms; the Landing Convention Centre, said to be Jeju’s largest multi-purpose convention hall; and dining, shopping and gaming facilities.
The Landing Convention Centre features a 1,440m2 ballroom – the island’s biggest – which can host up to 2,000 people, a smaller ballroom for 100 to 250 people, and eight meeting rooms.
Sean Shin, director of marketing team of Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau, believes the property, with its varied events, accommodation and entertainment facilities, will be the key to boosting the island’s appeal to association and corporate event planners.
He said Jeju tends to draw more association meetings in environment-related industries, including medical science, engineering science and natural science.
Wern Ling Liang, vice president, sales & marketing, Jeju Shinhwa World, noted that prior to the arrival of Jeju Shinhwa World, there was “little international hotel brand presence on Jeju” as well as “a lack of accommodation and integrated entertainment”.
Furthermore, programmes on the island were centred around Mount Hallasan and museums, with little night entertainment, she said.
Armed with the Landing Convention Centre and unique venues such as Shinhwa Theme Park, Liang is certain that Jeju Shinhwa World is a game-changer for Jeju.
“(Planners) usually prefer a one-stop location for their meetings (and social) requirements,” she told TTGassociations, adding that Jeju Shinhwa World satisfies this desire.
“Jeju Shinhwa World will provide more options for (planners looking at) Jeju. Hopefully, (this will help) Jeju become the next events hub of South Korea.”
Chanki Sung, director of Rye Tour, said Jeju’s new complex will “definitely” help the destination to compete with other popular convention cities in the country, such as Seoul, Gyeonggi and Busan.
Chun Kim, president of Kim’s Travel DMC Korea, is optismistic that Jeju’s latest developments will provide more interesting content for meeting programmes, especially for delegates who travel to the meeting from afar and would want more mileage out of their time here.
In anticipation of a spike in popularity, Jeju is increasing its connectivity and tourism facilities, which comes as a blessing for local stakeholders.
For instance, Liang said that AirAsia X’s direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Jeju will help grow business and association events traffic from South-east Asia.
There are also plans to build a second international airport in Jeju.
