By Lee Kyung-min
The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) will gather public opinion to create a new tourism slogan for the capital, which will replace the current “Hi Seoul,” it said Tuesday.
The new slogan will be chosen October 28 which is Seoul Citizens’ Day.
The move is to reflect an increasing need to introduce a new slogan that best captures the vibrancy of the city which is gaining global recognition, according to a city official.
“With the number of foreign tourists visiting here surpassing 10 million a year, the city government is looking for a new, fresh yet memorable phrase that best reflects the need from both here and from the tourists,” the official said.
Already, the city government has launched a 28-member committee last year solely devoted to raising the public awareness of the project.
An additional panel comprising citizens, marketing experts and foreigners will be formed to support the committee, the city official said.
“The whole purpose of the project is to induce active participation from the public. Already, almost 300 people are expected to join the process,” the official said. “Including foreigners as panel members is our attempt to better integrate those who are willing to be involved.”
There have been opinions that the current slogan “Hi-Seoul” is out of date and fails to make a lasting impression.
“Saying ‘hi’ definitely delivers an image of friendly and easygoing nature of the city and its people,” the official said. “However, memorable phrases that inspire indelible images are what the city is looking for.”
According to a city-wide survey conducted August last year, out of the 2,165 respondents, some 79 percent agreed with the need for a new slogan.