June 26, 2012 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). As we celebrate this landmark occasion, we’d sincerely like to thank you for your support in the past and ask you for your continued interest and support. As we head into our next 50 years, we will continue to strive to connect you to Korea more intimately through the continued development and improvement of the Korean tourism industry.
*1 Bando Hotel, home of the KTO offices when the organization was first established
Itaewon store selling imported goods (May, 1967)
*2 1 millionth entrant to Korea (November 25, 1978)
1980: KTO moves into a new building. Relocated duty-free store in the Gimpo Airport
*3 Name is changed to Korea National Tourism Corporation (November 29, 1982)
Early 1980s - PR materials are published 
*4 Seoul Olympic Summer Games held
Creation of corporate image (CI) 
*5 ’94 Visit Korea Year
1962Foundation of the ‘International Tourism Corporation’ (former name of the KTO) *1
1968Number of international tourists to Korea reaches more than 100,000 (103,000)
1975Changes from an entity managing travel businesses to one promoting tourism in Korea
1977Tourist Complaint Center opens
1978Number of international tourists reaches 1 million (1.08 million) *2
1982Renamed ‘Korea National Tourism Corporation' (KNTC) *3
1988Becomes an official supporter of the '88 Olympic Games *4
1994‘Visit Korea 1994’ events begin *5
2000Number of international tourists to Korea reaches 5 million
2001Launching of Tour2korea.com (former name of the VisitKorea site)
2007Official Launch of the Korean Tourism brand name
2008Tour2korea.com is consolidated to create VisitKorea.or.kr
2011Number of international visitors to Korea reaches 9.8million
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