As the a large number of students go on backpacking trips during the winter season, the Korea Tourism Organization is offering freelance travel writers useful travel tips.

Experts suggest that backpackers make their own name cards with links to their pages on social networking sites so that the relationships made during the trip can last. Google Maps and GPS systems are handy for travelers concerned about getting lost as they offer the clearest, most accurate directions. Backpackers are not encouraged to rely too much on guide books as they may contain outdated information. Going to tourist information centers is recommended to make sure the information in guide books is correct.

For more information, check the online travel magazine Smart Traveler at www.smartoutbound.or.kr.

(wylee@heraldcorp.com)