KoreaToday SKAL Asia Congress to Kick Off in Incheon
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Some 200 foreign and 100 local tourism experts will gather in Korea from May 21 to 24 for business networking at the 38th SKAL Asia Congress.
Taking place at several locations in Incheon, the nation's third largest city and the air gateway to Korea, the event will bring together some of the industry's top professionals
SKAL, established in 1934, is one of the world's largest groups of its kind, uniting all branches of the industry from hoteliers and travel agents to airline executives and tourism media.
SKAL, a Scandinavian word meaning happiness, long life, good health and friendship, has 22,000 members in 480 cities. Its members meet to discuss and pursue topics of common interest in tourism throughout the world.
SKAL Asian Area was founded in 1972, and now has members in 45 cities in 19 countries. The Asian area congress, in which members ``do business among friends,'' is held every year, and Korea has hosted the event twice, in 1977 and 1987, both in Seoul.
``We are proud and excited to host the SKAL Asia congress. Korea is an important market for both outbound, with 13 million, and inbound tourism, with 6.9 million, to many ASEAN and long-haul destinations. We will try to make it the best congress ever,'' said Adrian Slater, president of SKAL International Seoul.
``Holding the congress for the first time in 22 years since 1987, the meeting will be a good opportunity to show various aspects of developed Korea to tourism experts in Asia,'' he said, adding that the participants will be able to see the potential of Korea's tourism ahead of Visit Korea Year 2010-2012.
The congress sponsors ― Incheon Metropolitan City, Incheon Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization, Seoul Tourism Organization, Visit Korea Year and Korean Air ― will help the delegates enjoy the congress and Korea.
Programs
Under the theme of ``SKAL's Present and Future,'' various programs and events including the general assembly, travel mart and exhibitions will be presented so that participants can share up-to-date information about Asia's tourism industry.
Tour programs in Incheon and nearby regions, gala shows and dinners will also provide a good opportunity to experience the beauty and dynamic aspects of Korea as a tourism destination.
At Thursday's board meeting and Friday's presidential meeting, directors will review the Asian clubs' achievements and set up plans for next year.
The opening ceremony will be held at Songdo Convensia, the newly built convention center in the port city, Friday morning. SKAL International President Hulya Aslantas, SKAL Asia President Earl Wieman and Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo will deliver welcome addresses.
All participating members will gather for the general assembly Saturday to review the group's issues over the last year since the 37th congress in Koh Samui, Thailand. They will elect new board members including the president and decide host cities for congresses in 2011 and 2012. The 2010 congress will be held in Cebu, the Philippines.
At the end of the assembly, Aslantas will make a speech with the theme of ``The Future of SKAL and Where and How It Should/Could Be Positioned.''
During Saturday's farewell party, a special video clip will be screened to show milestones during the 40 years history of the Seoul club, which was organized in 1969. A Filipino dance troupe will perform a show to promote Cebu, the 2010 host city.
A fashion show of ``hanbok,'' or traditional Korean costume, will be held at Friday's dinner, offering guests a glimpse of Korean tradition and its modern variants.
Participants on the city tour will be able to visit Incheon's major destinations and learn the Korean tea ceremony. Those on the post tour will also visit destinations in Seoul, including Insa-dong, Gyeongbok Palace, Mt. Namsan and Namdaemun Market.
Incheon City
Incheon, located west of Seoul, is Korea's third largest city with a population of 2.7 million. It will host the 2009 Incheon Global Fair and Festival between August and October and the 2014 Asian Games. The year 2009 is also Visit Incheon Year.
Almost all foreigners coming to Korea visit the city, as it is the site of Incheon International Airport, the nation's air gateway which was selected as the best airport worldwide for the fourth consecutive year in 2009 by the Airports Council International.
``Incheon is the gateway city of Korea and the logistics and transportation hub in Asia,'' Slater said.
The congress will show Incheon's high-quality MICE venues and professional service that meet international standards. The state-of-the-art Songdo Convensia will be the venue for the grand opening of the congress, while the Hyatt Regency Incheon will be the headquarter hotel.
With such superior amenities, infrastructure and the hospitable environment of Incheon, Seoul and other parts of the nation, Korea is bidding to go one step further and host the SKAL World Congress in 2012.