By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Seoul City has taken a new initiative to give recognition to individuals and organizations that have contributed to the tourist industry by instituting the annual Seoul Tourism Awards.
The first ceremony is scheduled to take place on June 27.
``It will be a new event celebrating the best of city promotions in Seoul and Asia-Pacific region,'' a city official said.
It will select 30 individuals and agencies in eight tour segments. Of the 30 award winners, foreign individuals and institutions will account for 40 percent, it said.
The award will also recognize entertainers who help boost Korean pop wave or ``hallyu'' in Northeast and Southeast Asian regions. Foreign stars who contribute to Korean tourism will be among the award winners.
Domestic and foreign tourism experts will be invited to recommend the awardees by March 25, and a committee selected by the city government will make a final decision on April 4.
Korean citizens and foreigners will be able to take part in online public voting for the award on the Internet at www.stawards.com by March 25. A mobile survey will also be held.
Besides the award ceremony, international tourism forum and business sessions will take place to help tourist cities in the Asia-Pacific region share information and seek joint development.
For sustainable development of the tourism industry, the city plans to hold the award every June and develop it into a festival for all to enjoy.
``Seoul needs a strategy to promote its value and brand. The award will help make the city a global tourist destination,'' the official said.
Seoul City aims to attract 12 million visitors annually by 2010. As part of efforts to achieve the goal, the city government recently set up a tourism marketing company with private investment from airlines, hotels and travel agencies.