The SEOULDAL, a tethered moon-shaped hot-air balloon, floats over Yeouido, Seoul. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Authorities
The Seoul Metropolitan Authorities will quickly enable worldwide vacationers to e book tickets on-line to trip the SEOULDAL balloon, a brand new metropolis landmark that provides gorgeous views of the capital from 130 meters above Yeouido.
Beforehand, as a consequence of climate circumstances affecting the balloon’s operation, worldwide vacationers might solely buy tickets on-site. Beginning this yr, nonetheless, they’ll have the ability to reserve their tickets on-line.
The Seoul Tourism Group mentioned Monday that officers will start working-level discussions later this month with main world on-line journey platforms to allow worldwide vacationers to e book the hot-air balloon trip on-line. Main platforms within the trade, together with Klook and KKday, are amongst these concerned within the discussions.
SEOULDAL is a cable-tied helium balloon designed to resemble a full moon, put in and operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Authorities since final summer season at Yeouido Park. The balloon soars as much as 150 meters within the air for about 13 minutes, offering breathtaking views of the Han River, particularly at night time. Ticket costs are 25,000 gained ($17) for adults and 20,000 gained for minors.
Since climate circumstances play a serious function within the balloon’s operation, on-line reservations for the trip have solely been obtainable to Korean nationals by way of the nation’s main platforms, Naver and KakaoTalk.
„We had not accepted reservations from overseas vacationers as a result of they usually e book prematurely from their residence nations, however by the point they arrive in Seoul, climate circumstances might forestall them from using,“ an official on the tourism basis defined.
Nevertheless, as SEOULDAL positive aspects worldwide recognition as a key vacationer attraction within the metropolis, the Seoul Metropolitan Authorities has determined to increase its on-line reservation system to worldwide vacationers.
SEOULDAL, a tethered moon-shaped hot-air balloon, floats over Seoul’s Yeouido . Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Authorities
On this month’s negotiations, discussions will give attention to particular cost strategies. The town prefers a system the place vacationers can reserve tickets with out rapid cost, given the excessive probability of cancellations as a consequence of climate circumstances. Nevertheless, journey platform corporations favor a system the place cost is made on the time of reserving to make sure fee revenues.
Primarily based on final yr’s expertise, town additionally plans to regulate SEOULDAL’s working hours extra flexibly to raised accommodate climate circumstances and maximize trip availability.
Since its official launch on Aug. 23 final yr, SEOULDAL has attracted over 20,000 riders inside simply 100 days of operation. The trip is particularly common at sundown, providing a wide ranging view of Seoul’s twilight and nighttime cityscape. It has grow to be one of many must-visit locations for worldwide vacationers.
