Traveling Is About Bridging Cultures
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Amid the latest influenza scare and the global financial crash, many might think that people would be inclined to travel less.
Not the case, according to Hulya Aslantas, president of SKAL International, a fraternity of senior executives in tourism.
``Traveling is now a part of life. People may cut down on the number of days of travel and maybe 10 percent in expenses but they still have to go where they have to go,'' said Aslantas who is in Incheon for the 38th SKAL Asia Congress through May 24.
The fact that people are continuing to travel is of great significance because it is the fundamental way in which people learn about other cultures and lifestyles, she continued.
``Traveling is at the very heart of cross-cultural exchanges where you experience other people's lifestyles, foods and their ways of life,'' said Aslantas, who has had her share of cross-cultural experiences, attending a boarding school in Germany from 1963 and colleges in France and the United States.
The organization of the event in Incheon is memorable since it marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of SKAL, which is not an abbreviation but a Scandinavian word for happiness, long life, good health and friendship.
Going on to elaborate on the importance of traveling, the Turkish travel executive, who launched her own company with her husband in 1974 (she is marking the 25th anniversary of its founding), said there is much to be done here.
``You could include a number of interesting programs in tours, such as cooking classes for preparing kimchi, and that will certain make the experience much more interesting and memorable,'' she said.
This, she explained, becomes possible because the role of travel agents has changed with the emergence of the Internet age in which travelers tend to get information they need on their own.
``This actually means that travel agents and others in the tourism industry now have the opportunity to engage in more specific programs, thus helping to promote the cultures of their countries,'' she said.
Aslantas excitedly handed over a copy of the publication that marks the 75th anniversary of SKAL, the Asian charter of which was launched in 1972 to include 45 cities in 19 countries. Overall, SKAL has 22,000 members in 480 cities.
Prior to coming to Korea, Aslantas played host to the 75th Anniversary of SKAL International, for which more than 250 tourism professionals from around the world gathered in Paris.
The celebrations included a gala dinner at the Galerie des Fetes, in the French National Assembly under the auspices of M. Bernard Accoyer, president of the French Parliament.
``We in the travel and tourism industry don't believe that this is just a business. It is about promoting cross-cultural exchanges and bridging cultures,'' Aslantas added.