South Korea will participate in China's largest annual tour expo later this week, Seoul's state-run tourism promotion agency said on Wednesday.

The Yonhap News Agency quoted the Korea Tourism Organisation, KTO, as saying, "The move is part of efforts to publicise South Korea's charm as a tourist spot for foreigners."

The three-day event, officially named the "China International Travel Mart, CITM," will start in Shanghai on Friday. It's one of the biggest professional travel shows in Asia.

The KTO said it will establish a pavilion in the CITM venue in cooperation with South Korea's provincial governments to focus on publicising the country's preparations for hosting the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and major local festivals.