Abstract

In the travel industry, a tourist information center is generally the first service facility a tourist from abroad experiences, and can often define a city’s image. Today, tourist information centers are becoming more of a multi-service facility for tourists’ convenience. In addition to easy accessibility and a pleasant exterior, tourist information centers provide reservation and sales services, rest areas, and various tourist amenities in addition to tourist information.

The tourist information centers run by the City of Seoul include booth-type stationary tourist information offices, mobile tourist information offices, and travel information centers. The number of tourist information offices in major tourist spots seems sufficient, when those operated by other agencies or entities are included. Seoul's tourist information centers are not large, but have good customer service.

However, in some areas a somewhat excessive number of tourist information centers exceeds customer demand, or are under utilized. Therefore, Seoul's tourist information centers should be changed through consultation among the relevant entities. For efficient operation, some centers should be consolidated or relocated based on the current status. Within the City of Seoul, the operating entities have to be unified. This will provide standardized, reliable services and allow for a system to train professional tour guides.

Greater emphasis must also be placed on improving tourist convenience and expanding services to include main cultural experiences. Modern tourists are accustomed to mobile technology environments, so centers must have internet accessibility and utilize mobile applications. For overall system operation, centers should identify changes in tourist demographics through monitoring, and put in place systems that can improve service through feedback and evaluation.

 

Contents

01 Introduction

1_Study background

2_Study contents

3_Research method

 

02 Understanding and changing tourist information center functions

1_Understanding the tourist information system

2_Functions and roles of tourist information centers

3_Operation of tourist information centers : Domestic/overseas cases

 

03 Current status of Seoul's tourist information centers

1_Current status of Seoul's tourist information centers

2_Seoul tourist information office operation

3_Roles of Seoul tour guides, and their HR management

4_Analysis of Seoul tourist information center locations and their adequacy

5_Current status of Seoul tourist information centers : Tentative conclusion

 

04 How to improve Seoul's tourist information centers

1_Restructuring tourist information center operations

2_Unify operating entities

3_Diversify functions and provide multiple services

4_Operate a mobile tourist information center

5_Build an integrated tourist information management system

 

05 Findings and Implications

1_Findings

2_Implications