A tourist uses the Flitto-powered real-time translation service. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government
The Seoul Metropolitan Government is gearing up to unveil its first-ever real-time translation service, which will be available in 11 languages, aiming to make life more convenient for tourists visiting the city.
The 11 languages are Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French and English.
In collaboration with Flitto, a crowdsourcing translation platform, the city has developed this translation service as part of a project to foster innovation in startups. Flitto offers various services related to language data construction, refinement and business translation for artificial intelligence (AI) learning.
The real-time translation service will be introduced at the Gwanghwamun Tourist Information Center and Seoul Tourism Plaza from next Monday to Dec. 31. Following this pilot project, the service will be expanded further.
The service facilitates real-time conversations in different languages using an AI translation engine and digital technology that converts voice into text. When a tourist asks questions in their native language, a transparent monitor will instantly translate and display the text in Korean for the staff at the tourist information desk. The process works the other way around too; when a staff member conveys tourism information in Korean, the tourists can directly view the translated text on the screen.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government underscores the unique aspect of this translation service, enhancing the ease of communicating by allowing tourists and guides to engage in face-to-face conversations through a transparent monitor.
The selection of the 11 languages is based on the national ranking of the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea in 2019, before COVID-19, calculated by the Korea Tourism Organization. Opinions from staff working at tourist information centers were also considered.
People are seen walking on the street in Myeong-dong, a bustling shopping area in central Seoul that is popular with tourists, Aug. 18. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Recent statistics on inbound tourists to Korea show that Japan topped the list with 263,453 visitors in August this year, followed by China with 259,659. Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam rounded out the top five.
Given the rapid increase in the number of tourists from China and Southeast Asian countries, the Seoul Metropolitan Government sees this translation service as a valuable addition.
Positive feedback from staff at tourist information centers is heightening expectations regarding the effectiveness of the service.
While English has commonly served as the official language for communication with tourists, there have been limitations, especially for visitors from non-English-speaking countries such as Russia, Spain and France.
The introduction of translation devices is expected to break down language barriers, enabling more convenient communication and reducing the difficulties experienced by both tourists and guides. Additionally, it is anticipated that precise information can be accurately conveyed to tourists of various nationalities.
As the accuracy of translation advances through the learning capabilities of AI translation engines, increased usage of translation services at tourist information centers will contribute to enhancing communication accuracy, according to the city.
To incentivize travelers to utilize the service, random lottery prizes such as discount coupons at duty-free shops in Seoul or tourist souvenirs will be offered on-site.
"The introduction of this service is expected to significantly enhance the convenience and satisfaction of tourists visiting Seoul, enabling them to enjoy attractions without language barriers," said Kim Young-hwan, the director general of the Tourism and Sports Bureau at the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
