By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Tourism is what a country should develop on its way towards becoming a developed nation, as tourism is a barometer of a country's attitude toward foreigners, said Samuel Koo, president and CEO of Seoul Tourism & Marketing.
Seoul Tourism & Marketing is a corporation that Seoul city government set up with 16 tourism-related companies in March in its aim to invite 12 million annual travelers to the capital by 2010, and Koo is the inaugural head.
``This is the best time to do tour business, as both the central government and Seoul city actively promote tourism, along with various projects such as Design Seoul and Han River Renaissance,'' Koo said in a media briefing in central Seoul, Tuesday.
He said that resolving minor difficulties for foreign visitors is the key to boosting tourism, as it will give them the impression that Seoul cares for them and this will lead to repeat visits.
As part of the effort, the company plans to set up digital menu consoles at restaurants. With the computerized menu of pictures of dishes and foreign language services, travelers will be able to select foods and get more information about them, Koo said.
The company also plans to operate low- and medium-price hotels and publish tourism information leaflets, as well as open Chinese restaurants at China town in Yeonnam-dong, which Seoul city is promoting, to provide quality Chinese foods to Chinese tourists.
``In a joint cooperative efort by city government and tourism firms, we'll promote both profit-making projects and those for public interest,'' Koo said.
Koo's resume includes correspondent for AP, UNICEF representative, and the president of Arirang TV.