South Korea To Help Promote ASEAN As Tourist Destination

From Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri SEOUL, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- South Korea is joining hands with the 10 ASEAN member states to promote Southeast Asia as an international tourist destination. In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the regional grouping next year, a campaign is to be carried out to encourage the Korean people to "explore" ASEAN. The 'Visit ASEAN@50: Golden Celebration Campaign' will include programmes to introduce Koreans to all things ASEAN from food to business and socio-cultural aspects. The ASEAN-Korea Centre, which is organising the campaign, said the programmes would be carried out in Seoul and Busan throughout November, and would feature a culinary festival and trade fair, among others. Secretary-general of the centre Ambassador Kim Young-sun expects hundreds of ASEAN companies from the food and beverage and other sectors to exhibit their products at the two events in Seoul. He said that an ASEAN Connectivity Forum, also in Seoul, would provide the Korean businessmen the latest information on key infrastructure projects of ASEAN member states in the transport, energy and ICT sectors. In Busan, a seminar will be held for the academia and civil organisations to explore ways to enhance ASEAN-Korean socio-cultural ties. Kim said he was happy to "bring a wide range of programmes to the Korean public to enjoy, learn about and experience ASEAN, ahead of the meaningful milestone year of 2017". The ASEAN-Korea Centre was set up in March 2009 as an inter-governmental organisation to promote various exchanges between Korea and ASEAN member states. Kim said ASEAN was the second largest trading partner of Korea. He also said the number of Koreans visiting ASEAN countries increased from 4.8 million in 2015 to six million so far this year, making ASEAN the most popular travel destination among Koreans. Korea received nearly 1.8 million visitors from ASEAN countries last year and the number was expected to rise this year, added Kim. --BERNAMA