Visit Gyeongsangbuk-do-Korea 2007 Year launched in Sydney

A delegation of senior tourism officials from Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do Province visited Sydney in late June to support a travel trade and media launch of the Visit Gyeongsangbuk-do-Korea 2007 Year.

Head of the delegation, Mr Oh, Jung-Suk, Director-general, Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said the year-long event which is being supported by the Central Government is expected to attract a significant number of Australians.

More than two dozen festivals are scheduled to be held throughout the province next year including the Gyeongju World Culture Expo to be staged from August to October.

The expo claimed to be world’s first cultural exposition is designed to offer visitors a diverse programme including a long list of events: a world festival parade and marching performance, world folk performance, international puppet festival, world food festival, world fashion exhibition, special film festival, silk road exploration world seminar, Asia and Europe art performance festival and an international teen culture camp.

Many expo events will be held in Gyeongju’s World Culture Expo Park.  Gyeongju, an ancient capital of Korea known as a ‘museum without walls’ because of the many treasures and artefacts found in the city, is the number one destination in Korea outside of the capital, Seoul.

Among numerous other events to be staged are outdoor Korean traditional music and dance performances at Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju from April to November, Andong Mask Dance performances in the village of Andong from March to November and moonlight traditional music and dance performances under the stars from April to October at Anapchi Pond in Gyeongju.

In addition to participating in a score of festivals, visitors will be able to enjoy a number of unique Korean experiences such as overnight stays in temples and rural villages.

Ms Jennifer Doherty, Marketing Manager, Korea Tourism Organisation Sydney office said that copies of a comprehensive Visit Gyeongsangbuk-do-Korea 2007 Year brochure were available from the Sydney office.

She said the KTO office was also able to assist tour operators in developing holiday programmes that included the expo as well as other destinations in Korea.

Sydney-based Mr William Seung, Tourism Representative, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, is coordinating all promotions throughout Australia for the tourism year and the destination.

Mr Seung who is also Managing Director, Lotte Travel, said that he was keen to develop the destination in Australia and would be happy to work with tour operators and wholesalers in developing new packages.

Exclusive Report by Thomas E. King