Oh Jee-chul |
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The head of the nation's tourism body said that Korea will be able to help underdeveloped countries improve their tourism industry based on Korea's experience, if he becomes the chief of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Oh Jee-chul, president and CEO of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), has been bidding for the UNWTO's secretary general post with the government's support. The election for the post is scheduled next May.
``Korea is a country going from a developing country to an advanced one. If I become the UNWTO leader, the organization will be able to give advice and tips on tourism to underdeveloped countries, which can be developed only through tourism,'' Oh said in a meeting with reporters in Seoul, Wednesday.
He said the post will also help Korea promote its tourism as well as expand the country's role in contributing to international society.
Oh said he has strong competitors, like the current vice secretary general, but said Korea's past contribution to the UNWTO and its potential in tourism was highly recognized.
Executive council members of the worldwide body will select the head in Mali in May, who will be approved at the general assembly in October.
Oh also talked about the recent exchange rate, saying a weak won and strong yen can be a favorable chance to bring Japanese travelers to Korea.
``Japanese's buying power has grown, but the number of tourists to Korea is not increasing as much. We need to take advantage of the strong yen, so we'll hold promotions in Japan soon, telling them that they can visit Korea at half price,'' he said.
Oh expected the number of visitors to Korea this year to be around 6.8 million, slightly lower than his aim of seven million. ``We'll make every effort until the end of the year to achieve the goal, actively promoting on the Japanese and Chinese markets as well as bringing skiers from Southeast Asia.''
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
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무디스, 스페인·伊·포르투갈 신용등급 강등
