In a ceremony to proclaim 2006 as the “Year to Visit Jeju,” the Jeju provincial government pledged to make the southernmost island province a…
In a ceremony to proclaim 2006 as the “Year to Visit Jeju,” the Jeju provincial government pledged to make the southernmost island province a Northeast Asian tourist attraction.
In a bid to transform their island from Korea`s premier tourism destination to Northeast Asia`s premier destination, some 3,500 people gathered at the Halla Gymnasium in Jeju city vowed to pool their efforts to achieve this year`s goal of luring 5.4 million visitors.
In a speech at the ceremony, provincial governor Kim Tae-hwan sent a welcoming message to all potential visitors (in and out of the country) to his province. Vice Culture and Tourism Minister, Bae Jong-shin expressed the hope that 2006 will clear the way for Jeju to emerge as Northeast Asia`s top tourist destination.
The ceremony was followed by a celebration in which some 20 popular singers sang their favorite songs. TV actress
Go Du-shim and three other entertainers were named as honorary ambassadors to publicize Jeju.
To help link hallyu, or the Korean pop culture sweeping Asia, with the “visit Jeju project,” the provincial government will create a Hallyu Image Complex and organize international events designed to publicize the touristic, leisure and well-being aspects of the island.
Starting in June this year, Jeju Air, newly born regional budget airline, will offer special airfares to visitors to Jeju. In addition, KTX-Cruise tour products, combination of high-speed train and cruise ship, will be introduced to attract more tourists to Jeju.
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