2010-2012 declared ‘Visit Korea’ years
Written by Writer on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008
2010-2012 declared ‘Visit Korea’ years
Korea yesterday announced the years 2010 to 2012 as the “Visit Korea” campaign period, to prop up efforts to strengthen the nation’s tourism industry.
The declaration was made in front of some 800 participants at a ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korea Tourism Association and the Visit Korea committee at Lotte Hotel Seoul. The event also commemorated the 35th anniversary of the World Tourism Day that officially fell on Sept. 27.
The Visit Korea campaign 2010-2012 will be a nationwide project aimed at attracting 10 million tourists and drawing $10 billion in profits annually by year 2012. This is the third installment of the Visit Korea campaign, following the first in 1994 and the second between 2001 and 2002.
During the campaign period, various state-funded and privately-sponsored programs will be implemented, such as on-site promotions at target market regions including Japan, China and Southeast Asian countries. Overseas advertisements will also be enhanced while various hospitality campaigns will be held. The government and each municipality will also overhaul the convenience level for foreign travelers such as signboards on the streets.
“Together with the private sector, we also plan to start the so-called ‘Korea Grand Sale’ program offering discounts on air fares and shopping for travelers,” said Kim Hyun-joon of the Culture Ministry’s Tourism Policy Division.
First Lady Kim Yoon-ok (left) hands over a statue to congratulate actor Bae Yong-joon, who was appointed a special tourism ambassador for the Visit Korea campaign 2010-2012, at Lotte Hotel Seoul in Sogong-dong yesterday. [Lee Gil-dong/The Korea Herald]
Last year, a total of 6.45 million foreign nationals visited Korea, bringing in $5.8 billion in profits.
Attending the ceremony were Culture Minister Yu In-chon, business dignitaries, celebrities and foreign envoys, among others.
First Lady Kim Yoon-ok, who attended the event as an honorary Visit Korea committee member, said, “Let us put our efforts together to make Korea a country of integrity, passion and hope, a destination where world travelers would want to revisit and stay.”
A total of 23 figures were awarded by the government for having contributed to boosting the tourism industry. Another 113 received prizes from the culture minister for their tourism-related activities.
Among the recipients of the government award was the late Kim Chan-sam, a renowned traveler who is said to have pioneered overseas travels by Koreans. He has authored numerous books on overseas traveling. He received the “Moranjang,” a decoration of honor.
Actor Ryu Si-won also received a presidential commendation for his work as a spokesperson for Korea’s culture and tourism for three years from 2006.
Actor Bae Yong-joon, who is popular in Japan and other parts of Asia, was appointed as a special ambassador for the Visit Korea campaign for 2010 to 2012.
The tourism business has been faltering recently with a low yearly increase rate of incoming foreign travelers at a mere three to five percent.
By Lee Joo-hee
The Korea Herald
(angiely@heraldm.com)
