2010 Overseas Culture Center Chiefs’ Meeting Takes Place in Gongju

Discusses ways of promoting Korean tourism in connection with Korea’s hosting of the G-20 Summit and other events

Thhe Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Culture and Information Service (KOIS) held the 2010 overseas cultural center chiefs’ meeting in Gongju
City, Chungcheongnam-do, from Feb. 17-19. The gathering attracted 34 overseas culture directors from 33 locations in 28
countries, including chiefs of 16 overseas Korean culture centers.
Unlike in previous years, the venue of the latest
meeting changed from Seoul to Gongju, a provincial city, since Korean culture officials need to gain an insight into the tourism resources of each region of the nation.
On day one of the gathering at the Traditional Buddhism Culture Center near Magok Temple in Gongju on Feb. 17, the participants discussed the 2010 plan and future development plan to globalize Korean culture. They also experienced tourism resources in the city by touring historical sites of the Baekje Kingdom, including the Songsanni Burial Ground, comprising the tomb of Kim Muryeong and Gongsan Historical Site as well as the state-run Gongju Museum.
The participants also considered plans that Gongju and 15 other city and county authorities are implementing in conjunction with the 2010 Great Baekje World Festival scheduled from Sept. 18 to Oct. 17 in and around Buyeo and Gongju. They inspected traditional heating ondol system boarding villages now under construction and scrutinized plans to promote tourism. On day three, Feb. 19, the participants also discussed views on ways to promote tourism in connection with Korea’s hosting of the G-20 Summit and other mega-events slated for this year.
As of February, 41 overseas culture promotion delegates reside in 34 locations in 29 countries around the world, of which, 15 Korean culture centers are established to engage in diverse activities, including exhibitions, performances and seminars on Korean culture. nw

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon speaks at a dinner of the 2010 overseas cultural center chiefs’ meeting in Gongju City.

MCST Holds 1st City-Provincial Tourism Bureau Chiefs Meeting

Reviews the achievements and the tasks of the Korean tourism industry and discuss tasks

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) organized the 2010 Korea Travel Expo and this year’s first meeting of city and provincial tourism bureau chiefs, which attracted about 50 tourism experts from the MCST, Korea Tourism Organization and the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 Committee.
Cho Hyun-jae, director general of tourism industry at MCST, said the meeting was designed to review the achievements and the limits of the Korean tourism industry and discuss tasks the MCST will have to implement in order to reinvigorate the tourism industry. The gathering also presented institutional support and proactive cooperation from city and provincial administrative authorities in order to advance the domestic tourism industry in conjunction with the Visit Korea Years 2010-2012 promotion as excellent tourism practices that have not been made public and tasks designed to step
up the industry’s competitive edge.
The ministry plans to regularize its meetings with city and provincial tourism bureau chiefs while strengthening its role in providing consultations for educating tourism officials from local governments and the development of tourism resources. nw