Traditional home `hanok` to be promoted as int`l lodging facility

Hanok, or a home with traditional Korean architecture, will be developed into an international lodging facility that can match or exceed Japan`s ryokan (inn) in quality and reputation, the Korea Tourism Organization said Sunday. A certification system for hanok will also be introduced to ensure that foreigners can trust and stay comfortably at hanok, which will be followed by systematic promotion and marketing.

The tourism agency announced Sunday that it will introduce a certification system to review and certify hanok homes, which have been used as experience-focused accommodation nationwide, as reliable housing facilities. It will announce a selection of some 200 homes in July that meet certain standards among those registered with municipal governments as experience-focused hanoks. A certified signboard written with “Hanok Stay” will be hanged on the selected homes, which will also receive a trademark, certificate, assistance with traditional culture interactive programs, and goods and materials for their operations.

The selected hanoks will also get assistance in promotion and marketing activities targeting domestic and foreign tourists. The intent is to develop hanok into a flagship housing product for Korea and similar to the ryokan of Japan and the paradores of Spain. Profiles of hanoks for tourists will be posted on the tourism organization`s hanok website (www.hanokstay.or.kr), and used to develop tourist products in association with the agency`s foreign branches.

“Demand for accommodations and experience at hanok has been constantly rising among Korean and foreign tourists, and attention to high-end lodging products has also been growing, but facilities and related promotion were lacking,” said a source at the tourist body. “We hope that the certification system will enable hanok to contribute to easing the shortage of lodging facilities (for foreign tourists) as an alternative accommodation facility, and introduce hanok overseas as a (Korean Wave) product that represents Korea.”

salthj@donga.com