By Kang Shin-who
Korea Times Correspondent
NEW JERSEY, N.Y. ― Korean Americans in the tourism business are excited about the prospect of an increase in the number of Korean tourists to America if Korea is admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.
Cho Kyu-sung, CEO of Dongbu Tour & Travel Inc., one of the biggest Korean travel agencies in the United States, is anticipating that the program will double the number of Korean travelers, in the Northeast region of the country, by up to 100,000 per year.
``New York is the city that many young people are eager to come to. The visa waiver will attract more of the younger generation to come and visit here,’’ Cho said.
Among Korean tourists to the U.S., about 40 percent head for the eastern region of the country, according to the travel agency. The agency, based in New York, has been making preparations for the increasing number of Korean tourists in accordance with the VWP for six years.
``Many tourism agencies will hastily target the American market and they might offer low prices, but those who come for this market without full preparation will fail,’’ Cho told The Korea Times.
``The success of travel agencies here will rely on how many well-organized programs they have,’’ he added.
The CEO spoke of his difficult times in 2001 following the September 11 attacks. ``When the tragedy happened, I fell into debt. But I didn’t lay off any employees; instead I took off 30 percent of their salaries,’’ he said.
In spite of the difficulties, he didn’t stop his donation to help Korean?American students. Sales of the company have now reached $30 million.
``I might be rewarded for my charity activities. Yesterday, I bought new money-counting machines to cope with surging income in the near future,’’ he joked and smiled.