Tourism Industry Makes its Pitch for ’Visit Korea Year 2010-2012’

Government and private sector vow to advance tourism industry by making the most of such mega-events as the ’Visit Korea Year 2010-2012’ and G-20 Summit

RRepresentatives from various walks of life pledged to push for the advancement of the Korean tourism industry by making the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 campaign a success.
The Korea Tourism Association held the 2010 tourism industry representatives’ New Year gathering at the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul on Jan. 6. Among the roughly 700 people on hand at the meeting were Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon; Go Heung-gil, chairman of the National Assembly Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Committee; Lee Cham, president of the Korea Tourism Organization; Nam Sang-man, chairman of the Korea Tourism Association (KTA); Rep. Won Hae-young; Rep. Kim Young-sun; Hamh Young-joon, a presidential secretary; Yoon Young-doo, president of Asiana Airlines; and Kwon Oh-nam, president of Grand Korea Leisure.
KTA Chairman Nam said in his welcoming speech, “The government and private sectors should join forces in helping the Korean tourism industry make another leap forward during Visit Korea Year 2010-2012.” He stressed that the nation is expected to be at a watershed for marching toward an advanced society in every field, and now is the time when the tourism industry should make a pitch for the success of the “Visit Korea Year 2010-2012” and G-20 Summit slated for this October in Korea.
In his speech, MCST Minister Yu echoed the KTA chairman’s message, saying, “The government and private sectors must make joint efforts in the tourism industry in order to reinvigorate the national economy, and I, the minister in charge of the industry, will do my best in giving a helping hand.” He noted that Korea accomplished a feat by attracting as many as 7.8 million inbound tourists despite such unfavorable factors as the new flu fears and economic downturn that hit in 2009. He urged the tourism industry to devote itself to raising the number of inbound tourists to 8.5 million during 2010, the first year of the “Visit Korea Year 2010-2012” campaign.
The National Assembly Culture, Sports, Tourism, Broadcasting and Telecommunications Committee chairman said in his speech, “The significance of the tourism industry cannot be overemphasized. The government’s efforts should be complemented by the tourism industry’s cooperation.”
About 40 select tourism representatives held a ceremony to light up cheongsachorong, traditional Korean lanterns with a red and blue silk shade in a gesture of hope for the New Year and a better future for the tourism industry. nw

Representatives from several walks of life carry cheongsachorong, a traditional Korean lantern, in a New Year’s gathering for the local tourism industry. The participants include Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon, and KTO President Lee Cham.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon gives a speech at a New Year’s occasion for the tourism industry.

Chairman Nam Sang-man of the Korea Tourism Association, center, is pictured with President-Publisher Elizabeth M. Oh in toasting for the success of the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 at a New Year’s reception for the tourism industry Jan. 6.