GroundK and Smartics Sign MOU to Build a Smart Tourism-Transport Platform

GroundK has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Smartics to build a smart tourism-transport platform, combining transport operations systems with ticketing solutions to advance digital transformation in the travel industry.

Combining transport operations with ticketing

GroundK, led by CEO Jang Dong-won, provides a Mobility PMS (Property Management Solution) covering reservations and client management, vehicle and driver dispatch, real-time operation monitoring, and settlement for tourism-transport operators. Smartics, led by CEO Kim In-seok, contributes cloud-based ticketing solutions and its proprietary Ticket-channel Management System (T-CMS), specializing in travel and leisure admission tickets. Smartics operates online ticketing and on-site payment systems for more than 200 performance venues and admission facilities nationwide, with major events including the Boryeong Mud Festival, Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival, Gyeongju Expo, and Daegwallyeong International Music Festival.

Reviving the travel industry through smart tourism

The two companies signed the MOU on the 5th, planning to lead the rapidly reshaping post-COVID tourism and travel market through joint development of a smart tourism-transport platform, tourism content, and marketing collaboration. CEO Jang Dong-won stated that as industry boundaries dissolve with the proliferation of mobility services, concierge-style services are needed beyond simply highlighting connectivity, and that combining tourism content with transport services is essential to reviving the stagnant travel industry and activating smart tourism.

Using big data to raise visitor satisfaction

CEO Kim In-seok of Smartics explained that the platform will offer optimal transport services between experiential and tourism facilities, enabling travelers to plan itineraries by calculating travel time and time spent at destinations. The service will use big data analysis to account for activity context and wait periods at destinations, improving overall visitor satisfaction. GroundK continues to digitize tourism transport, operating the Everland integrated transport booking platform and serving as the traffic-program operator for Incheon's port district, which has been designated a smart tourism city.

▸ View original: Korea M&A Economy

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