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DMC - Destination Management Company
It is a term for a professional services company possessing extensive local knowledge, expertise and resources, specializing in the design and implementation of events, activities, tours, transportation and program logistics. A DMC provides a ground service based on local knowledge of their given destinations. These services can be transportation, hotel accommodation, restaurants, activities, excursions, conference venues, themed events, gala dinners and logistics, as well as helping with overcoming language barriers. DMCs are able to provide preferential rates based on the buying power they have with their preferred suppliers. A DMC is an incoming tour operator catering for both corporate and leisure clients. DMCs differ from tour operators in that DMCs do usually not deal directly with end-clients, but trade through agents, which may be tour operators.
Office location
We are based in Goyang, a charming city known for flowers and lake, about 25km northwest of downtown Seoul. The city has become an exemplary leader among other cities in South Korea, in areas such as regional economic vitalization, environmental friendly residential areas, and convenient transportation system. Goyang is no less convenient than doing business in Seoul. With an excellent inbound solution program and strong network with local suppliers, we cover whole Korea for anything about travel and MICE.
Communication
Although English is taught in all schools, this tends to be written grammatical English, not conversational, and most Koreans tend either to not know how to speak English, or are too shy, or modest of their limited ability in it to do so. Unless you have an English speaking guide or friend with you are likely to struggle with communication. You do not expect the drivers to speak English.
Food
Korean food is based around rice normally the sticky medium grain variety or noodles accompanied by side dishes like Kimchi, fish, meat, or animal products. Many dishes are generously laced with chili. Vegetarians are likely to enjoy little variety in their Korean meals, and vegans are almost sure to lose a considerable amount of weight over their stay, though beans and tofu do feature commonly.
Western-style food is widely available in Korea, but not everywhere, and where it is it is invariably more expensive than native Korean food. Unless you stay all your time in the larger centers you will almost inevitably end up eating Korean food somewhere, whether you originally intended to or not.
Shoes
You are expected to remove your outdoor shoes when entering most people’s houses, Korean-style seating areas of restaurants, and temple buildings. Many locations have cubby-holes in which to place your shoes, and provide slippers for you to wear. If visiting places such as those listed above shoes that can be slipped on and off easily offer a great advantage.
Best time to visit
In general, the period from March to June and September to November are the most ideal time to visit as the weather is mild and temperate.
Spring and Autumn - perfectly crisp and mild weather. Clear skies and pleasant sunny days.
Weather
Yellow Sand Phenomena - from middle of April to early May.
Monsoon rainfall - From middle of June to middle of July. A month-long monsoon accompanying occasional thunder and lightning.
Typhoon - a series of strong wind hits the country from late August to early September.
Summer heat - sticky hot from June to August.
Winter - a dry and freezing cold with snowfalls. January and February are among the coldest months
Hotel facilities
Korea provides a full range of hotel facilities ranging from super deluxe hotels of international standard to very limited service hotels. The hotels are centered largely in Seoul, big cities and resort areas. Motels are around. Facilities are almost the same as that of 2 or 3 star-hotels, but most of the rooms are equipped with double bed. More residential type hotels are coming up and widely used by the long-term visitors, travelers and businessmen as well.
Room rates
Most Korean hotels have following rate system.
On Season/Off Season
Single/Double/Twin/Triple
Standard/Superior/Deluxe/Executive Floor/Suite room
City View/Mountain View/Ocean View/Lake View
Weekday/Weekend
FIT/Group
Normal season/Japanese Holiday/Christmas/Peak season
American, European/Asian/Japanese rate
Online Package/Promotion/Travel Agent/Corporate/Convention
Korean hotels run on the American Plan and breakfast is at additional charge
How to book
Please send us a direct request by email. Booking requests should include the number of people, date of arrival and departure along with the flight numbers, number of rooms and room types, and meal plan.
Passport number is required if the visit of Panmunjeom, the 3rd Tunnel, the 2nd Tunnel, the 4th Tunnel, Goseong Unification Observatory, any military installations or the likes are included in your program.
Tour departures
We do not set departure dates. The tours operate on request, available from one person. However, some programs like Temple Stay, Kimchi Making, Taekwondo, Culture Discovery, Cultural Adventure, Soft Adventure or Trekking are subject to run with minimum 10 people.
Method of payment
Full payment for all the features must have been received by us 30 days prior to arrival in Korea. All payments are to be in US Dollars or Euro by wire transfer.
The bank details for wire transfer are as follow
Bank: KEB Hana Bank
Address: 2-46, Yeokchon-dong Eunpyeong-gu Seoul, Korea
Account No.
(Korean Won) 110-910001-39604
(USD) 110-910002-21332
(EUR) 110-910002-22032
Swift Code: KOEXKRSE
Account Holder: EXODUS DMC
Meeting at Incheon International Airport
Arrivals to Incheon International Airport (ICN): There are two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 (Main Passenger Terminal and Concourse) and Terminal 2.
Passengers arriving at Concourse will have to take an underground shuttle train to get to the Main Passenger Terminal for immigration, quarantine and customs clearance.
Passengers arriving at Terminal 2 will clear immigration, quarantine and customs clearance at Terminal 2.
With your passport control behind, please check your exit on the monitors that indicate which baggage carousel and exit are assigned to your arrival flight. Once you have collected your luggage, please proceed through the appropriate exit and look for your greeter holding a sign with “your name (or pseudonym, code name, organization or any other identification that has been requested in advance)”
IMPORTANT: you must exit through the appropriately marked door for your flight, otherwise your greeter will not be able to locate you.
Pick-up Service
On your arrival, our pick-up hosts or drivers always greet you respectfully. All our drivers are friendly and professional, and most importantly, excellent and safe drivers, with the best track records in the business. They are highly trained, and all have many years of driving experience.
The pick-up drivers will standby up to maximum 1 hour 40 minutes of flight arrival unless there is a good reason for delay. Should you be late for any reason in the CIQ (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine), please call the driver or my company to notify such delay. If not show up in time without notice, we withdraw the vehicle and full cancellation charge effects.
Pick-up at Incheon International Airport (ICN)
The mode of pick-up service varies according to the size of the vehicle to be used and the number of people travelling together on the same vehicle.
3 or less people: driver pick-up available as the vehicle parks close to the main passenger terminal.
If a larger vehicle is used for the group of less than 3 people, driver pick-up is not available due to parking location issue. Pick-up assistant is an absolutely choice.
4 or more: driver pick-up not available due to parking location issue. Pick-up assistant is an absolutely choice.
Departure transfers (Incheon International Airport - ICN)
We, unless otherwise specified, arrange pick-up service based on the downtown hotel in Seoul as follow.
1~9 people: 3 hours prior to flight departure time
10 or more people: 4 hours prior to flight departure time
The departure transfer pick up is extended up to 20 minutes of scheduled pick up time. If not shown up within 20 minutes, we consider it cancelled and withdraw the service. Then, cancellation fee effects.
The guide or assistant is not necessarily required regardless of individuals or groups as your driver drops you off right in front of the terminal building.
Incheon International Airport porter service
From 09:00 to 19:00
Pick-up at Gimpo International Airport (GMP)
After collecting your luggage and exiting via arrival gate, you will be met by a driver or pick-up host holding a name or meeting sign.
The journey time from Seoul Gimpo is approximately 40 minutes to the hotel on normal traffic.
Departure transfers (Gimpo International Airport - GMP)
We, unless otherwise specified, arrange pick-up service based on the downtown hotel in Seoul as follow.
1~9 people: 2 hours and 30 minutes prior to flight departure time
10 or more people: 3 hours prior to flight departure time
The return transfer pick up is extended up to 20 minutes of scheduled pick up time. If delayed more than 20 minutes, we consider it cancelled and withdraw the service. Then, cancellation fee effects.
The guide or assistant does not necessarily required if you are independent travelers.
Vehicles for airport pick-up or departure transfers
1 - 2 passengers: Car
3 passengers: 9-seat or 11-seat Van
4 - 6 passengers: 16-seat bus
7 - 9 passengers: 31 seat bus
10 - 35 passengers: 45-seat bus
Luggage truck required for the group of more than 30 passengers if travelling together on the same bus
High travel cost
Korea is pretty expensive to travel although there are many opportunities for the budget conscious traveler to get good deals on accommodation, transportation and eating out.
Safe country
Korea is a safe country to travel. And the Korean people are very friendly and courteous. Traffic keeps to the right. Road signs are in international standard.
Mind the pick pocketed in the crowded places.
So caution should be used in these areas.
Ski and golf
There are numerous ski resorts and golf courses, but most of them are running on membership basis. Booking them for non-members is not an easy feat in general.
Sunny beaches
Korea is surrounded three sides by the ocean and benefited with a number of beautiful beaches. Unfortunately, the beaches holidays are only for two months from middle of June to middle of August, since the cold current formed in the northern Pacific Ocean, runs past the Kamchatka and follows the eastern coastline of the Korean Peninsula.
Airport tax
No airport tax is levied on passengers departing Korea on international flights.
Measures
Metric system
1 Kilometer (km) = 0.62 miles
1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet
1 Kilogram (Kg) = 2.2 pounds
1 litter (l) = 0.88 quarts
* Centigrade to Fahrenheit: multiply by 1.8 and add 32
Useful phone numbers
Telephone information (Domestic): 114
(International): 00794
Police: 112
Fire, Ambulance or emergency: 119
Travel information (Seoul): 1330
Other cities: area code + 1330
Electricity: 220V (2 round prongs)
Traffic: Right hand traffic
Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Korea. Unlike in many other countries, Korean guides generally don’t expect a tip, as they don’t depend on tips for their livelihood. Not only are tips not expected, but if you try to give a tip it may be turned down and make for an awkward moment. Precisely because Korea doesn't have much of a tipping culture the amount is entirely at your discretion. If a guide has been particularly helpful and you choose to offer a gratuity, do so as discreetly as possible in an envelope.
Suggestions vary from USD 20 to USD 30 per day for each guide. Another option, and a nice touch, is to offer a small souvenir from your hometown/city with the word Gamsahamnida, the expression of appreciation. Local food specialties are much loved, as are souvenirs with a local flavor.
For drivers, a gratuity of $10 per day is appropriate, in an envelope as explained above. In most instances a service charge of 10% is included in a hotel and a restaurant bill.
Water: The tap water is regarded as being safe to drink, however some locals at least filter their drinking water. If in doubt, drink bottled water.
