ID :
35277
Sat, 12/13/2008 - 05:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/35277
The shortlink copeid
S. Korea vows to attract 10 million foreign tourists annually
By Yoo Cheong-mo
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday announced it aims to double the number of inbound foreign tourists to over 10 million a year and lift the global competitiveness ranking of its tourism sector from 31st to within the top 20 by 2012.
Under the strategy, the government will intensively develop world-class
sightseeing attractions, such as eco tours to the demilitarized zone (DMZ)
separating South and North Korea, and drastically reinforce the country's
tourism-related infrastructure, including hotels and airports.
The tourism industry blueprint was unveiled by a presidential commission on
national competitiveness during its conference presided over by President Lee
Myung-bak at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
Successful implementation of the tourism development plan is expected to create
about 390,000 new jobs in South Korea, despite unfavorable economic conditions in
the years ahead, the commission said in a press release.
The statement noted the government's development scheme will be focused on
increasing the number of tourists to Seoul's five major ancient palaces, creating
large numbers of hands-on traditional arts and culture programs, diversifying
sightseeing packages involving unique attractions like the DMZ, as well as the
eco-friendly Paektu Daegan mountain range, swamplands and other ecological
projects nationwide.
Notably, the government will push for DMZ, which attracts about 500,000 foreign
visitors annually, to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, according to
the statement.
It said the government's tourism-related infrastructure enhancement projects will
include the construction of a new international airport on Jeju Island, expansion
of the existing Jeju airport's terminal capacities, additional opening of direct
air service between Seoul's Gimpo Airport and major Japanese and Chinese cities,
simplification of visa issuance for Chinese tourists and tax reductions for
domestic tourist hotels.
Jeju is the nation's most popular tourist destination, as an estimated 5.4
million tourists, including 500,000 foreigners, visited the scenic southern
resort island last year.
In October, the South Korean government declared 2010 to 2012 as "Visit Korea"
years, seeking to attract 10 million foreign tourists a year and earn US$10
billion in foreign currency revenue in the first year of the nationwide campaign.
The "Visit Korea Campaign 2010-2012," the third such national promotion following
two previous campaigns in 1994 and 2001-2002, is also aimed at further upgrading
South Korea's status as a destination for international tourists and its national
brand.
A total of 6.45 million foreign tourists visited the nation last year and spent
$5.8 billion in foreign currency, government data showed.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
SEOUL, Dec. 12 (Yonhap) -- South Korea on Friday announced it aims to double the number of inbound foreign tourists to over 10 million a year and lift the global competitiveness ranking of its tourism sector from 31st to within the top 20 by 2012.
Under the strategy, the government will intensively develop world-class
sightseeing attractions, such as eco tours to the demilitarized zone (DMZ)
separating South and North Korea, and drastically reinforce the country's
tourism-related infrastructure, including hotels and airports.
The tourism industry blueprint was unveiled by a presidential commission on
national competitiveness during its conference presided over by President Lee
Myung-bak at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae.
Successful implementation of the tourism development plan is expected to create
about 390,000 new jobs in South Korea, despite unfavorable economic conditions in
the years ahead, the commission said in a press release.
The statement noted the government's development scheme will be focused on
increasing the number of tourists to Seoul's five major ancient palaces, creating
large numbers of hands-on traditional arts and culture programs, diversifying
sightseeing packages involving unique attractions like the DMZ, as well as the
eco-friendly Paektu Daegan mountain range, swamplands and other ecological
projects nationwide.
Notably, the government will push for DMZ, which attracts about 500,000 foreign
visitors annually, to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, according to
the statement.
It said the government's tourism-related infrastructure enhancement projects will
include the construction of a new international airport on Jeju Island, expansion
of the existing Jeju airport's terminal capacities, additional opening of direct
air service between Seoul's Gimpo Airport and major Japanese and Chinese cities,
simplification of visa issuance for Chinese tourists and tax reductions for
domestic tourist hotels.
Jeju is the nation's most popular tourist destination, as an estimated 5.4
million tourists, including 500,000 foreigners, visited the scenic southern
resort island last year.
In October, the South Korean government declared 2010 to 2012 as "Visit Korea"
years, seeking to attract 10 million foreign tourists a year and earn US$10
billion in foreign currency revenue in the first year of the nationwide campaign.
The "Visit Korea Campaign 2010-2012," the third such national promotion following
two previous campaigns in 1994 and 2001-2002, is also aimed at further upgrading
South Korea's status as a destination for international tourists and its national
brand.
A total of 6.45 million foreign tourists visited the nation last year and spent
$5.8 billion in foreign currency, government data showed.
ycm@yna.co.kr
(END)
