Meeting Incentive Convention Event/Exhibition
BUSAN B u s a n To u r i s m O r g a n i z a t i o n ( B T O )
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MICE D E S T I N AT I O N BROCHURE
CO N TE N T S Introduction to Busan •
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Busan MICE Planning Perfection •
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Featured Venues •
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About Busan •
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designed with your
convenience in mind
USEFUL INFO RMAT IO N
• Busan is famed as Northeast Asia’s perfect mix of natural beauty and modern infrastructure. • With 3.6 million residents, Busan is Korea’s second largest city, and the world’s 5th busiest port, making it the center of Korean global trade. • Of the top 50 tourist destinations worldwide, Korea is the only country with double-digit tourism growth over the past three years. • Ranked as the 3rd fastest growing convention city, Busan was named the 5th best convention city in Asia, and 19th in the world. • Busan MICE offers world-class facilities and highly-trained staff to accommodate all of your convention needs.
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TH E P E RFECT PLACE FOR YOU R MICE E VE NT
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he ch a r m o f B usan go es beyon d bea utif ul b eac hes, a st unning skyl i n e, incred ib le fo o d, nat ural sc ene r y, w orld - cla s s infrast ruc t ure, and endle ss sh op p ing . Vis it o rs w ho hav e w alk ed h e r m aze of city st reet s, hik ed t he myr i a d m o u nta in tra ils , o r relaxed o n her sand y sh ores will a ll agree t hat w hat set s B u sa n a p a r t is the c har ming mixt ure o f t h e o l d a n d th e new.
F r om se r e n e , t h ou sa n d -ye a r-old t e m p le si t e s t o t h e t a lle st r e si d e n t i a l skysc r a p e r s i n Asi a , B u sa n fu se s t h e e le m e n t s of wh a t t h e wor ld on c e wa s i n c e n t u r i e s p a st a n d wh e r e i t ’s h e a d e d i n t h e n e a r a n d d i st a n t fu t u r e . F r om va st ou t d oor m a r ke t s t o e xp a n si ve i n d oor sh op p i n g c e n t e r s, B u sa n offe r s i t a ll a s a c on ve n i e n t , c e n t r a lly loc a t e d h u b for N or t h e a st Asi a .
A CITY
with it all While the Haeundae Beach area of Busan, with its beaches, mountains, temples, shopping malls, hotels, and convention facilities often gets most of the world’s attention, Busan is home to more than just one city center. Be it the expansive shopping district of Nampo-dong, home to the massive Jagalchi seafood market; Seomyeon, with its countless shops to please the most discriminating fashionista; or Dongnae, the ancient city-center with its long history, mountain temples, fortresses, and hot springs, ―there is something for everyone. And all are easily accessible via a short trip on the city’s convenient public transportation system.
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Busan exemplifies how natural beauty and modern life can coexist in perfect harmony.
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B U SA N
NU R IM A RU AP EC H OUS E
WI FI W ORL D • With all 2,500 city buses, four subway lines, major transportation hubs, and tourist destinations offering free Wi-Fi access, Busan has become one of the world’s top locations for staying connected 24-hours a day, 365 days a year.
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FA CI LI TI ES
BU S A N’ S M IC E RESOURCES
convenient,connected, comprehensive Korea is one of the most advanced nations in the world, yet it is also a country steeped in historically rich tradition. In Busan this combination of the old and the new abounds at every turn. This tradition of old-fashioned friendly service, combined with a peerless offering of cutting-edge conference and exhibition facilities, makes Busan the perfect place for your meetings. Marvel at the newly expanded state-of-the-art Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO), which hosted the 55,000-strong International Lion’s Convention in the heart of the city’s convention district; or walk the Haeundae Beach shoreline before entering the nearby Nurimaru APEC Center, where 21 esteemed heads of state from around the world once gathered to discuss the most pressing global issues. From 5-star hotels and their luxurious high-capacity ballrooms, to setting sail aboard Yacht B for an intimate teambuilding day trip at sea, Busan caters to all your needs. It’s this combination of dozens of multifunctional, high-tech MICE facilities, abundant natural beauty, cultural richness, and professional services that make Busan the perfect destination for meetings, exhibitions, conferences, events, team building, and more.
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B U SAN
F E AT U R E D
venues
BUSAN EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTER (BEXCO) Among the dozens of convention and meeting locations, BEXCO has stood out as the city’s premier venue since it first opened in the heart of Busan’s convention district in 2001. With over 90,000 square meters on seven floors and one underground level, BEXCO’s sophisticated exhibition and convention facilities, spacious halls, and 22 conference rooms could house five soccer fields. 2012 saw the opening of a new exhibition wing and a 4,000seat auditorium. This expansion was finished just in time to host the Lions Clubs International Convention, which housed over 55,000 delegates from over 120 countries. NURIMARU APEC HOUSE Situated right on the coast, the iconic Nurimaru APEC House is nestled in a beautiful, natural landscape accented by dense camellia and pine, scenic walking paths, phenomenal vista points, and an old fashioned lighthouse. The opulent meeting halls and event rooms of Nurimaru, with their nearly 800 person capacity, continue to be a popular choice for businesses and organizations that are drawn by its stunning views of the sea, nearby Haeundae Beach, and Busan’s famed Diamond Bridge.
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V E N UE S
BUSAN CINEMA CENTER The centerpiece of the Busan International Film Festival, Asia’s largest and most acclaimed annual film gathering, the Busan Cinema Center is an architectural marvel designed by famed Viennese firm Coop Himmelb(l)au. The Cinema Center’s cantilever roof is the world’s largest, soaring over an outdoor plaza capable of seating 4,300 people. The exterior boasts 42,600 LED lights synchronized to create magnificent visual displays, all right in the heart of Busan’s conference district.
DEDI CATED STAFF FRO M STA RT T O FINISH
• The Busan MICE team, and a highly-trained corps of event and venue staff, guarantee excellence every step of the way. Multi-lingual, multi-skilled, and multi-talented, you can rest assured that you are in the best hands at all times during your stay in Busan.
YACHT B AND BUSAN AQUARIUM Busan gives you the option of holding your events and meetings above the water or below it. BEXCO’s Yacht B is a luxurious 52-foot sailboat with a 27-person capacity. Its spacious and comfortable interior is equipped with all the meeting essentials, including a conference roundtable. For those who want to go ‘under the sea’, Busan Aquarium makes for an exciting alternative. Up to 300 guests can marvel at the undersea world while meeting inside, or at either end of, the 80 meter shark tunnel.
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B U SAN
BUSAN: WHERE BUSINESS, PLEASURE & CONVENIENCE
come together
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CI T Y
THE WORLD O F BUSA N The official nickname of Korea’s second largest city is “Dynamic Busan.” It’s a well-deserved moniker, for within her spacious borders she is a city of mountains and of sea, of modernity and history, of relaxation and roar, and of sunshine and nightlife. In a word, Busan has it all.
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H I STO RY
W H E R E HISTORY A N D the future come together The area traces its history back to the 2nd century when Busan was known as Geochisan, or “rough mountain”. A royal decree in the 15th century designated Busan as the primary trading port with neighboring Japan. It has since grown into the world’s 5th busiest port and emerged as a global hub for travelers and business people from around the world.
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Aspects of Busan seem almost lost in time, while other parts belong to the future.
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I T ’ S M O R E TH AN F OOD I T’S F UN! •
Find out at the source why Korean food is one of the most
increasingly popular cuisines in the world. More than just the ingredients, more than just a hint (and sometimes an abundance!) of spice –it’s the whole atmosphere that surrounds the Korean dining experience that makes it special. Whether grilling your own meal at the table, stopping for a bite at a sidewalk food stand, or dining in a high-end restaurant, eating in Korea is a pastime to be cherished with friends, family, and colleagues.
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CULT UR E
HE R I TAGE S ITES: find yourself YONGGUNGSA This beautiful coastal temple is one of Korea’s most spiritual sites. Conveniently located a short taxi ride from the central convention area, Yonggungsa offers visitors a chance to find peace from the busy city nearby. Bathe in the ocean sky and meditate to the sound of the waves breaking against the rocky shore. BEOMEOSA This sprawling, historic temple is nestled in the foothills of the Geumjeong mountain range. Over 1300 years old, Beomeosa remains home to dozens of resident monks who quietly stroll the grounds amidst the serene structures of spiritual history. Revel in mountain scenery, explore the intricately-detailed temple halls or, if you have the time, enjoy an overnight temple stay. GEUMJEONG MOUNTAIN FORTRESS Busan’s premier hiking destination, Geumjeongsanseong is a mountain fortress set high atop the summit of Geumjeong mountain, offering fantastic views of the city below. The fortress was constructed in 1703 following repeated invasions by both Japanese and Manchu forces. Its four gates and 17km wall stand as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and Geumjeongsanseong’s proximity to Beomeosa Temple make both historic sites an excellent cultural day trip.
BUSAN NI GHTLI FE FRO M DUSK ‘T IL DAWN • Koreans are well known for working some of the longest hours of any country in the world. But embedded within the hard work ethic is an appreciation for the importance of play. From quiet, dimly lit bars, to live music and pulse-pounding dance floors, once
the day’s work is done, the night comes alive across the city.
Above from left to right: Yonggungsa, Beomeosa, Geumjeongsanseong
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AT TRA CTIO NS
BE A C HE S : play in our sands Busan’s five main beaches offer a wealth of oceanside experiences as diverse as the city itself. HAEUNDAE BEACH Haeundae Beach is literally Korea’s hottest place to be during the summer months. Korea’s most acclaimed beach, Haeundae is a summer-long festival, and a social experience unlike anything else you’ve experienced.
G O O D T O KN OW • The secret is out: Korea is the place to be. Since 2005, tourism to the country has doubled from 6 million annual visitors to almost 12 million in 2013. And, of the top 50 tourist destinations in the world, Korea is the only country with a double-digit growth in visitors for the past three years.
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GWANGALLI BEACH With its spectacular view of the colorful Diamond Bridge, Gwangalli Beach combines natural as well as architectural beauty to capture the eyes and the imaginations of visitors yearround. If you’re hungry, a wide variety of seafood restaurants line her shore. SONGJEONG BEACH Just a short taxi ride up the coast, Songjeong’s sands serve as the hub of Busan’s surfing community, and anglers flock to catch dinner along its pristine shoreline. SONGDO BEACH Opened in 1913 as Korea’s first official beach, Songdo Beach is particularly beloved for its night view and its famed sea diving board. DADAEPO BEACH Long and serene, Dadaepo Beach is home to the Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams, the world’s largest outdoor fountain.
ATTRACTIONS
S HO PPIN G: Spend the day getting lost in the city’s outdoor traditional markets, including world-renowned Nampo Dong and it’s immensely popular Jagalchi Fish Market. If something more modern is your style, stroll through the maze of the Seomyeon district’s underground shops; or visit Shinsegae, the world’s largest department store, which is located right in the center of the convention district.
S PA N N ING F ROM T H E N to now Be it the quaint galleries lining Haeundae’s scenic Dalmaji Hill, or a gander back at Korean history at one of the city’s many museums, art lovers and history buffs alike have plenty of options to choose from. Don’t miss the massive Busan Museum of Art located right across the street from BEXCO, where you’ll find work from local and international artists housed within her walls. A short bus ride from the convention district takes you to the UN Memorial Cemetery, where those who laid down their lives for freedom rest peacefully amongst grassy meadows and shady trees.
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A C C OMMODAT I ON & T R ANS PORTAT IO N
L A ND O F T HE morning calm Whether at the luxurious five-star hotels, ocean-view guesthouses, or the area’s famed hot spring spas, Busanites view it as their duty to make accommodation and relaxation both comfortable and convenient. Watch the Korean sunrise from your ocean-view suite, then later watch it set as you dine along the shore. At the end of the day, soak in the spa or bathe in the hot springs –staples of any visit to Busan. Before retiring to the comforts of your chambers, try your luck in the city’s two casinos, or enjoy live music and dancing in the hotel clubs and bars.
T R AV E L AND transportation Extensive road, rail, and air networks put everything in easy reach. SUBWAY The Busan subway system is the fastest, most convenient way to travel around the city. The metro’s four lines, as well as the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail (which takes you directly to Gimhae International Airport), put the whole city within reach. For the convenience of visitors, announcements are made in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. KTX The KTX is a marvel of modern transportation. Referred to by Koreans as “the airplane on the ground”, the KTX makes the trip from Busan to Seoul in just 2 hours and 30 minutes. Watch the scenic Korean landscape zip by at speeds of up to 305 km/h (190 mph). GIMHAE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT Located within easy reach by taxi or subway, Gimhae International Airport serves as a hub for short flights to Seoul, and to countless international destinations including Beijing, Hong Kong, Tokyo, and locations all over Southeast Asia.
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MICE CON TACT
C O N TACT us Contact Busan MICE today and let our friendly, expert staff help you with all your convention, meeting, or event needs. See you in Busan! MICE Bureau, Busan Tourism Organization (BTO) Address: Haeundae Haebyeon-ro 35, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea Tel: +82 51 780 2155 Fax: +82 51 780 2159 E-mail: busanmice@bto.or.kr Web: www.bto.or.kr
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Busan always welcomes you with a warm smile and a glowing heart
Produced by MEME Communications www.memecommunications.com
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