In response to the current COVID-19 situation, the Korea MICE Bureau, under the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has introduced a new support program for conventions and meetings & incentives to provide extra assistance to groups affected by COVID-19.

Under the international conventions sector, KMB will provide COVID-19 safety equipment (masks, hand sanitizer, thermal imaging cameras, etc.) at no extra cost for international conventions held in Korea through the end of 2020, to ensure safety and security of attending delegates. A special welcome kit will be provided as well for all international delegates through the end of the year.

Additionally, international conventions originally scheduled to be held in Korea this year but have had to reschedule due to the virus will receive increased subsidies if a new hosting date is confirmed to fall before June 2021. Subsidies will vary depending on group size - for small groups (under 500 foreign delegates), the subsidy will be increased by 1.5 times, for medium-sized groups (500 to 1,000 foreign delegates), an additional subsidy of 10m won (US $8,162) will be provided in addition to the original subsidy. The figure rises to 25m won for large groups (1,000 to 2,000 foreign delegates) and to 40m won for extra-large groups (over 2,000 foreign delegates).

Under the corporate meetings & incentives sector, groups that have cancelled or postponed their confirmed visit to Korea due to COVID-19 will receive upgraded support to the highest level (S level) regardless of group size, if a new date is confirmed to be before June 30, 2021. For groups considering or have confirmed Korea as their corporate meetings/incentive destination, extra support will be provided for site inspection visits. 

While things remain uncertain for now, the Korea MICE Bureau hopes to welcome MICE delegates back to Korea with new and improved programming and support when the time is right.