KoreaToday Congress Will Display Koreas Tourism Potential
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
The SKAL Asia Congress will be a chance for Korea to demonstrate its attractions as a tourist destination to travel professionals in Asia, said Adrian Slater, president of SKAL International Seoul.
``The Seoul club marked the 40th anniversary of foundation this year, and it is significant to host the congress here in this special year,'' Slater said in an email interview with The Korea Times.
Korea previously hosted the Asia meeting in 1977 and 1987, and this congress will be an opportunity to show tourism experts how the country's tourism has been developed since, he said.
``We can also show guests Korean market's potential ahead of Visit Korea Year to be promoted for three years between 2010 and 2012,'' said the general manager of Park Hyatt Seoul, stressing the importance of Korean market with 13 million of outbound and 6.9 million of inbound travel.
He said the congress organizing committee tried to display both international and Korean touches in the programs ― the welcome dinner Thursday includes ``bibimbap'' (rice mixed with assorted vegetable), which has become one of the most representative Korean foods, and famous non-verbal performance ``Nanta'' (Cookin').
``Another special event is prepared for the opening ceremony, which is confidential until that time. A `hanbok' (traditional Korean dress) fashion show will also be presented,'' he said.
Slater highly evaluated the Seoul club's activity. ``Our members are key figures of Korea's major tourism-related agencies such as travel agents, airlines, hotels and tourism offices. They have helped tourism experts around the world, who are interested in doing business in the market, find due counterparts here.''
He also highly recognized the support from the sponsors in preparing the congress ― Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization, Visit Korea Year and Korean Air.
``With the Asia congress as a momentum, we plan to expand our activity, setting up `Incheon club' this year besides the current Seoul club. We will also make effort to host the SKAL World Congress in 2012,'' Slater said.
``We are delighted to welcome you to Incheon and hope that you will enjoy the next few days' conference and related activities that have been prepared to make this congress a memorable one,'' he said.
