Korean mag to highlight Cebu’s wellness facilities

To take advantage of the influx of Korean tourists visiting Cebu, which averages at 25,000 every week, the Spa and Wellness Association of Cebu (SWAC) has forged a partnership with a Korean monthly magazine that is being distributed to Korean nationals in Cebu.

The magazine published by Hugin & Munin Corporation serves as an overall tourism guide for Korean nationals who are visiting Cebu, and through the partnership, the Spa and wellness facilities will be highlighted in the magazine, said SWAC president Johnnie Lim.

There are 55 members of SWAC. Each company will get mileage and promotion in the magazine, which publishes over 10,000 copies a month, distributed for free to visiting Koreans in Cebu.

According to Lim this partnership is a strategic move by the spa and wellness industry, now that Koreans is the largest market for any tourism-related products, "they have to know where to go specially in availing spa and wellness services."

Instead of creating their own directory for SWAC, Lim said it is more economical to venture into a joint project with this tourism-guide magazine that is specifically targeted towards the Koreans.

Aside from other markets, like the Filipinos or other foreign nationals, Korean tourists have played a vital role in the growth of the ever growing Spa and Wellness industry in Cebu.

About 10,000 Koreans are now temporarily living in Cebu, while about 25,000 Koreans visit Cebu per week.

The magazine called "I Need" is a guide to Cebu's tourism and culture, which also features different tourism attractions in Cebu, accommodation facilities, restaurants, among others.

It also highlights each town's attraction within the Cebu province, like Carcar's old houses, Argao's Torta product, and guide to different festivals within the province.

"We are already assured of the wide distribution and marketing mileage of this partnership," Lim added.

The magazine is distributed to airports, hotels, and Korean travel agencies, in order to make sure that majority of Korean nationals visiting to Cebu can get a copy to enjoy and maximize their visit to the province.