Korea To Share Its Tourism Success Story With Brunei

 Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Brunei Darussalam Mr Kim Dae-Sik yesterday noted his delight at seeing the Asean-Korea Centre, together with Brunei Tourism Board, initiating the Asean Tourism HRD Programme, a meaningful project to better accommodate Korean visitors.

In his congratulatory remarks at the opening of the programme, which runs until May 26 at the Orchid Garden Hotel, he said, tourism has become a significant source of economic development worldwide. It also serves as a useful tool for enhancing cross-cultural understanding between countries.

It is no surprise that nowadays that governments strive to develop a more competitive tourism industry in a very strategic manner. Korea and Brunei are no exception to this, he said.

As far as tourism is concerned, it holds particular importance for Asean and Korea.
"Statistics tell us that the number of Koreans traveling to Asean countries is increasing every year. In 2008, around 12 million Koreans travelled overseas and among them 28.8 per cent chose Asean countries as their destination. Korea is indeed an important market for Asean in tourism.

"As for Brunei, however, it is hard to say that we are seeing a steady increase of Korean travellers to the country, even though there was a temporary hike in 2008 with charter operations from Seoul to Bandar Seri Begawan by one Korean travel agency," the ambassador said.

"The task ahead is how to turn the current trend of sporadic nature into a sustained one. I believe that Brunei has a lot to offer and can bring in more Korean people to the country on a sustainable basis, if it utilises its tourism potentials to the fullest with effective strategies.

"A six-century-old monarchy, well-preserved pristine rainforest, noble Islamic architecture, the largest water village in the world and hospitable people are no doubt distinctive assets of the Sultanate.

"Furthermore, the ongoing project 'Bandar Seri Begawan Development Master Plan' which aims to transform the capital into one of the world's most livable and greenest cities will be instrumental in attracting more tourists.

"In the case of Korea, you might think that it has been fairly competitive in tourism fora long time. In fact, this is not the case. Until recently, Korea had not been among the preferred tourists destinations in the world.

But with vigorous efforts by the central and local governments backed by the private sector, Korea has successfully developed tourism into one of the key enablers of its economy.

"In 2008, the tourism industry accounted for 6.8 per cent of the country's total gross domestic product (GDP) and that figure will continue to grow," he added. The ambassador believes that the event will provide a useful opportunity for stakeholders in the Brunei tourism sector to learn from Korean experiences and expertise.

Meanwhile, Jae Hyun CHO, the Director of Development Planning and General Affairs Unit, Asean-Korea Centre in his opening remarks said the Asean-Korea Centre is an international organisation with membership of 10 Asean countries and Korea.

The centre is mandated by its member states to promote economic and social-cultural cooperation between Asean and Korea. "In the Culture & Tourism area, the centre carries out various activities to facilitate exchange, enhance cultural awareness and exchanges and also promote tourism between Asean and Korea.

"The centre organises the Asean Tourism HRD Programme to help build the capacity of tourism professionals of Asean countries in providing tailored service to Korean tourists.
"Four programmes have already been organised in Mekong Sub-region including Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand.

In the FY2010, the centre will organise the same programmes in BIMP-EAGA countries plus Singapore and this programme is the first of HRD programme," he said. He hopes the programme will help participants better understand Korean tourists and their culture, and also help them pick up Korean as a language.