Making Korea 'Tourism Jewel'in Asia

Chmn. Park pledges his best to make 'Visit Korea Year'resounding success and make Korea renowned global tourism destination


Chairman Park Sam-koo of Kumho-Asiana Group, who has been named chairman of Visit Korea Year at the 35th Tourism Day ceremony on Oct. 14, said the Visit Korea Year Committee began its work last month already and the government has already started to make significant contribution in order to launch the Visit Korea Year's projects. In a speech he delivered at the ceremony for the Tourism Day held at the Crystal Ballroom of Hotel Lotte downtown Seoul, he said he would like to share his great joy with every one present at the ceremony and those engaged in the tourism industry in the country, the proclamation of the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 at the tourism day Oct. 14.
He said the government has implemented new tourism policies including the reduction of tax and deregulations on tourism industry. These activities from the government are essential in strengthening the competitiveness of Korean tourism industry and give much encouragement to all of us.
  
He said he would like to extend his sincere gratitude to all related government officers for producing substantial moves in such a short time.
The chairman said to act in harmonizing with such positive supports, it is about time for the private sector to implement strategies to further development of Korean tourism industry. As the chairman of the Visit Korea Year, he said he will lead the private industry to produce a variety of business activities and support enhancing Korean tourism brand through aggressive investments.
More than anything we must showcase Korea as a tourism destination and increase the number of inbound tourists by activating tourism infrastructure. We must do all we can to by all means to achieve our ultimate goal of attracting 10 million foreign tourists per year by the year 2012.
He said the tourism industry is a labor intensive and high-profited industry at the same time. Thus, strengthening the tourism industry will become a breakthrough in solving unemployment and the current economic crisis..
For blooming of the tourism industry, he said he sincerely ask all business associates including the Federation of Korean Tourism Association for more active involvement. He said he also would like to ask the government an local governments for their continued interests and constructive cooperation. He said he believes all our combined efforts will bear fruitful results, make "Visit Korea Year"a success and raise the presence of Korea in the global tourism world. nw

Chmn. Park Sam-koo of the Visit Korea Year and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok hold a plaque pledging best efforts to make the tourism program a resounding success at the tourism day ceremony. The first lady was named as honorary chairwoman of the tourism promotion program.

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