A team of six international students from the Department of Service Management under the School of International Studies at Korea Aerospace University (Lim Hong-gwon, Kim Yang-beom, Du Feng, Li Hangyu, Pelzabonuu, and Lin Juehen) received the Encouragement Award at the 2025 K-Tour Idea Challenge, hosted by the Korea Hotel and Tourism Association.

The competition was held as a side event of the 2025 AKHT International Conference in Seoul, Korea, which took place from July 4 to 6 at Sejong University. Under the theme "Enhancing the Sustainability of the Global Tourism Industry through ESG Management Innovation in the Hospitality Sector," the event brought together scholars and students from Korea and abroad to share and exchange ideas.

KAU’s team was the only group of finalists composed entirely of international students. Their proposal, titled "The King’s Road & Sky Road: The Majesty of Joseon and the Dream of Korean Aviation," presented a time-integrated tourism concept connecting the traditional cultural heritage of Goyang City—where KAU is located—with the university’s advanced aviation resources.

The proposed tourism course organically linked historical sites such as Seooreung Royal Tombs, Heungguksa Temple, and Haengju Fortress, which embody the spirit of the Joseon Dynasty, with cutting-edge aviation landmarks such as the Goyang Drone Anchor Center, Aerospace Museum, Chang-gong-ho training aircraft, and a full-scale A300 airplane located on campus. The plan included three hands-on themed experiences specifically designed for international visitors.

Notably, the students incorporated the symbolism of Obangsaek, Korea’s traditional five-color system, to organize their roles in planning, research, content development, and presentation. They conducted on-site visits and evaluated the attractions from the perspective of foreign tourists. Their participatory, storytelling-based tourism model earned high praise for its originality and depth, particularly for reinterpreting Korean tourism through a global lens, while overcoming language barriers and demonstrating cultural sensitivity.

Professor Lee Soo-kyung, who advised the team, commented, “The process of international students discovering local assets and transforming them into tourism content was not only an academic exercise but also a meaningful experience for developing intercultural understanding and a global mindset.” She added, “We will continue to support students’ participation in diverse domestic and international competitions to help broaden their perspectives.”