Momentum for Visit Korea Year
Korea International Travel Mart 2010 to perk up Visit Korea campaign to lure more tourists
The Korea International Travel Mart 2010 closed its five-day session at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul, hosted by the Visit Korea Committee from April 5-9 with 150 representatives of member firms of the mart from 10 member countries including travel publications, tourist agencies, tourist resorts and hotels from Japan, China, Singapore and Korea attending. About 50 travel agencies and related companies participated in the international tourism event.
Minister Yu In-chon of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), in his welcoming statement for the travel mart, said he hoped that the in-bound travel mart being held in Seoul will help the Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 campaign launched from this year by becoming a stage for overseas and inbound travel agencies to form networks and to further develop overseas tourist products.
The minister went on to say this will be a great opportunity for the tourism industry of other countries and Korea to form cooperative partnerships.
The provincial governments in Korea, in particular, have put much of their efforts and preparation into promoting each region’s outstanding tourism resources and products, the minister said.
He said, “We ask for your active interest and participation in the Farm Tours offered, and also hope you will promote the great attractions you have seen in Korea.”
“The MCST will do its best in order to make your visit to Korea most charming and memorable. We hope that this year’s Korea International Travel Mart will develop into the best inbound exhibition in Korea,” Yu said.
Chairman Shin Dong-bin of the Visit Korea Committee said in his welcoming speech that he would like to express his thanks to everyone for attending the Korea International Travel Mart 2010.
The chairman said this year is the initial year for the “Visit Korea” campaign and the Visit Korea Committee has been developing various events and programs to attract 10 million tourists to Korea by the year 2012.
Chairman Shin said some of the committee’s main projects include “Global PR Marketing” which aims to increase international awareness of Korean tourism, joint programs with regional governments developing festivals and tourist products unique to that region, the “Korea Grand Sale,” which offers various benefits to overseas tourists and the “National Hospitality Service” campaign, which aims to improve tourism services of Korea.
Roh Hyung-woo, headquarters manager of the Visit Korea Committee, said the travel mart was aimed to provide further details and information regarding tourism in Korea. Activities and programs such as Korean tourism product explanatory forums; B2B matching consultations; Hallyu (Korean Wave) and cultural performances; regional Farm-Tours; Korean tourism photo exhibitions; PR booths from 16 regional governments; and PR booths to promote medial tourism and much more will provide new tour ideas and themed package tours. nw
Minister Yu In-chon of the Ministry of Culture,Sports and Tourism, gives a speech at International Travel Mart Korea held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul.
(from left) Participants at International Travel Mart Korea discuss tour products available in Korea at Lotte Hotel where the global meeting took place. Chairman Shin Dong-bin of the Visit Korea Committee delivers a speech at Korea International Travel Mart 2010 held at Lotte Hotel downtown Seoul from April 5-9. |