Kumho Asiana chairman named head of tour committee

Park Sam-koo

By Chung Ah-young

Kumho Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo, 70, has been appointed chairman of the Visit Korea Committee (VKC).

The committee said Tuesday that its board of directors selected the new head of the tourism body during a meeting at the Lotte Hotel, Seoul, Friday.

“The directors agreed that Park is the most suitable person to contribute to the development of the nation’s tourism industry beause he has a diverse background as the chairman at the Federation of Korean Industries’ special committee for tourism and has led the conglomerate as a leading businessman,” the committee said in a press release.

The panel said that Park will lead its campaign to promote the Visit Korea Years of 2016-2018 in cooperation with local businesses.

“He is also expected to boost the sagging tourism industry by attracting more Chinese and Japanese tourists, as he is currently serving as chairman of the Korea-China Friendship Association and leading the organizing committee for the Korea-Japan Festival 2015 in Seoul to be held in September,” it said.

Led by the private sector, the committee provides practical information to help attract tourists under diverse promotional programs such as the Korea Grand Sale, Discount Coupon Service and Must-See Routes.