BUSAN MEETING PLANNER 004 CH01 CONTENTS WHY BUSAN? 018 CH02 Venues 042 CH03 Hotels 076 CH04 Tourism attractions 122 CH05 Shopping 134 CH06 Food & Drink 144 CH07 Festivals & Events 154 CH08 Useful information 002 003 WHY BUSAN? CONTENTS 007 A CITY WITH IT ALL 010 YOUR TIME IS PRECIOUS 012 BITS ABOUT BUSAN CONFERENCES ARE MADE MEMORABLE BY 008 BUSAN, MICE DESTINATION 011 WHERE HISTORY AND THE 014 OUR PORTFOLIO THE EXPERIENCES YOU TAKE HOME WITH YOU. FUTURE COME TOGETHER REMEMBER: IT’S BRIGHTER IN BUSAN! 009 FEEL THE OCEAN BEAT BUSAN EXEMPLIFIES HOW NATURAL A CITY WITH IT ALL BEAUTY AND MODERN LIFE CAN COEXIST IN PERFECT HARMONY. Korea is one of the most advanced nations in the world, yet Busan has something for everyone. The famous Haeundae THE PERFECT PLACE FOR ANY EVENT it is also a country steeped in historically rich tradition. In area features beaches, mountains, temples, malls, hotels, The beauty of Busan goes beyond the scenic beaches, Busan, this combination of the old and the new abounds at and convention facilities. The expansive shopping district stunning skylines, incredible food, diverse natural scen- every turn. First-class convention facilities sit minutes from of Nampo-dong is also home to the famous Jagalchi Fish ery, world-class infrastructure, historic wonders, and end- sandy beaches and historic mountain trails. Serene, thou- Market. Seomyeon offers blocks of countless shops sure to less shopping. Visitors who have walked her maze of city sand-year-old temple sites sit alongside some of the tall- please even the most discriminating fashionista. Gwangalli streets, hiked her myriad mountain trails, or relaxed on her est residential skyscrapers in Asia. Shop the best in luxury showcases its shining beach view of Gwangan Bridge as sandy shores will agree that what sets Busan apart is that brands in the world’s largest department store, and then well as a lively nightlife. Finally, Dongnae, the ancient city the elements of any great city are all combined here. take a short walk to a traditional Korean market. center, has mountain temples, fortresses, and hot springs exhibiting its long history. 006 007 THE COMBINATION OF OLD-FASHIONED, FRIENDLY SERVICE AND A PEERLESS OFFERING BUSAN HAS FIVE MAJOR BEACHES ALONG ITS BUSAN, MICE OF CUTTING-EDGE CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION FACILITIES MAKES BUSAN THE PERFECT FEEL THE COASTLINE, AND THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN DESTINATION PLACE FOR YOUR MEETING. OCEAN BEAT UNIQUE CHARMS. BUSAN’S MICE RESOURCES: THE SEASIDE ADVANTAGE CONVENIENT, CONNECTED, COMPREHENSIVE One of Busan’s major draws is its beaches. What better way Busan’s MICE infrastructure is quickly becoming known as to relax after a long day of meetings than by soaking up the being among the best in the world. Centered around the rays, lounging under a beach umbrella, or feeling the warm world-class BEXCO Convention Center and the historic sand and cool water beneath your toes? Nurimaru APEC House, Busan boasts a long list of flexible and dynamic facilities that have helped it reach ninth in Visitors can enjoy a range of watersport activities, from surf- the world among convention cities, according to the 2013 ing to Jet Ski and from sailing to scuba diving, at one of the Union of International Associations. Whatever your event, five main beaches around the city. Busan has the ideal facilities and the full range of support services to make it perfect. There are also hours of coastal walking paths to be tra- versed, offering breathtaking views of both the city and the ocean from every angle. Hiking is the most popular pastime DEDICATED STAFF FROM START TO FINISH here in Busan, and it won’t take long to see why once you The Busan MICE team, along with a highly trained corps of step foot onto the coastal and mountain trails. event and venue staff, guarantee excellence every step of the way. Multilingual, multiskilled, and multitalented, our And, of course, let’s not forget about the seafood. Busan has team will let you rest assured that you are in the best hands a long history of fishing and feasting on the ocean’s bounty. at all times during your stay in Busan. Let us show you all Those centuries of experience have led to a diverse seafood that we can do for you, as we work together to make your menu and a culinary mastery that makes seafood dining in next MICE event your best ever. Busan an experience that is not to be missed. The city also offers several scenic tributaries, including Ko- rea’s largest river, the Nakdong river, which winds its way across the Korean Peninsula for 525 km. 008 009 YOUR TIME IS WHERE HISTORY AND PRECIOUS THE FUTURE COME TOGETHER A LONG HISTORY AND A BRIGHT FUTURE The area traces its history back to the second century, when Busan was known a 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 fifth busiest port and has emerged as a global hub for travelers and business people from around the world. Throughout Busan you will see the charismatic contrast of old and new, whether you are standing beneath the tow- ering skyscrapers of Marine City or beneath the great Bud- dha statue at Yonggungsa Temple. Whether shopping the ultra-modern Shinsegae Department Store or the historic Jagalchi Market, this blend of history and modernity is a big part of what gives Busan her charm. THE 10-MINUTE ZONE Perhaps the most unique aspect of holding your event in Busan is that the city’s best destinations—primary conven- tion facilities, pre-eminent hotels and accommodations, beloved tourist attractions, premium shopping, and the best leisure and nightlife the city has to offer—are all sit- uated just 10 minutes from each other, in what we call the ‘10-minute zone.’ This area, which includes Centum City, Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli, and Marine City, has it all— maximizing the fun and productivity of even the shortest stay in Busan. 010 011 BITS ABOUT BUSAN WI-FI WORLD Busan has become one of the world’s top locations for stay- ing connected 24 hours a day, with free Wi-Fi in key loca- tions throughout the city. BUSAN BITS • With 3.5 million residents, Busan is Korea’s second larg- est city and the world’s fifth 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. • Busan was named the fourth most popular convention city in Asia and ninth in the world by the 2013 Union of International Associations. • Busan enjoys a temperate climate with mild winters compared to the rest of the country and warm sum- mers to enjoy her many beaches. • With 30 universities and colleges, Busan is a city focused on education, and is a hub for university students from around Korea and the world. • Busan is famed as northeast Asia’s perfect mix of natu- ral beauty and modern infrastructure. 012 013 OUR PORTFOLIO THE 95TH LION’S CLUBS CONVENTION BUSAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL In late June of 2013, more than 50,000 Lions Club members The most popular event held in Busan each year, the Busan from more than 100 countries gathered together in Busan International Film Festival, has quickly become the largest for the 95th Lions Clubs International Convention, one of film festival in Asia. Since its inaugural event in 1996, the the largest conventions of its kind in the world. For five rise of the Busan Film Festival has given new life to the Ko- days, Lions Club members took advantage of the conve- rean arts community, especially in Busan. Since 2011, the niences the city offers and enjoyed the sights of Busan. It Busan Cinema Center has served as both the headquarters was the largest international event ever held here, and it and centerpiece of the festival, bringing a new level of opu- was a resounding success for all in attendance. lence to the event and providing Busan with another state- of-the-art venue for both the arts and MICE related events. THE ITU PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE In 2014, ministers from 193 nations and some 3,000 IT pro- fessionals from around the world made Busan their home THE 13TH APEC SUMMIT away from home for the International Telecommunica- In 2005, presidents and prime ministers from 21 Pacific Rim tions Union’s 2014 Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-14). The countries gathered in Busan for the 13th Asia-Pacific Eco- three-week-long event, held every four years, is the world’s nomic Cooperation Summit. To prepare for the event, the largest diplomatic event in the area of information technol- city constructed the Nurimaru APEC House, situated right ogy and is the flagship event of the ITU, a specialized agen- on the coastline among the beautiful, natural landscape cy of the United Nations. The ITU returned to Busan’s BEXCO of Dongbaek Island. The opulent meeting halls and event in 2017 with the ITU Telecom World ‘17 conference- a place rooms of the APEC House continue to be a popular conven- where government and industry influencers gathered to tion choice for businesses and organizations due to their connect government to SMEs and entrepreneurs, to net- stunning views of the sea, nearby Haeundae Beach, and Bu- work and explore investment opportunities, and to share san’s famed Gwangan Bridge. The 2005 APEC Summit was ideas and best practices. also the inspiration for the first Busan Fireworks Festival, an event that continues to memorialize the summit with its amazing displays each fall.