Korea Aims High for Mice Business

Korea’s MICE specialists will be out in force at AIME2008 in Melbourne next month with twelve co-exhibitors on the Korea Tourism Organization ‘Korea, Sparkling’ stand including six of Korea’s world-class convention centres represented.

Joining Korea Tourism Organization on the ‘Korea, Sparkling’ stand number 3400 will be: 

COEX Convention & Exhibition Centre Seoul together with the Seoul Convention and Visitors Bureau;

Busan Convention & Visitors Bureau together with Busan Metropolitan City;

Daejeon Convention & Visitors Bureau;

Gwangju Convention & Visitors Bureau;

International Convention Centre Jeju and Jeju Convention & Visitors Bureau;

KINTEX (Gyeonggi); and

meeting specialists: –

Aju Incentive;

Holiday Planners: and

Rye Tours.

Korea is rapidly expanding its share of the lucrative MICE market and has benefited greatly from previous participation in AIME.

As one of the world’s most sought after convention destinations, Korea has proven its ability to successfully hold international meetings.

According to UIA (Union of International Associations) statistics Korea held 185 international meetings in 2006 and was ranked 16th worldwide in the number of international meetings held.

Its capital city, Seoul held 89 international meetings in 2006 and was placed 11th worldwide in the number of international meetings held.

Among the countries in Asia, Korea was the third most popular place for conventions after Singapore and China/Hong Kong/Macau.

Korea has two world scale events in the future with the hosting of the World Athletics Championships in Daegu in 2011 and the recently awarded World Expo 2012 to be held in Yeosu City on the southern coastline of Korea.

The Expo’s theme ‘The Living Ocean and Coast: Diversity of Resources and Sustainable Activities’ is seen as part of its successful bid at a time when the world is seeking solutions for serious environmental issues.

Korea will also play host to Asia at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Korea offers world-class convention and accommodation facilities and exciting pre and post tour programs which include unique opportunities such as experiencing a Korean templestay program.

With easy international access and an excellent transportation system visitors can enjoy Korea’s 5,000 years of history and culture, its beautiful natural scenery, delicious cuisine, excellent shopping and a wide variety of night life.

Most of all Koreans are known for their warmth and hospitality to foreign visitors. Korea also offer’s world-class quality service and know-how acquired from the hosting of many successful large events like the 2002 FIFA World Cup Football.

Korea Tourism Organization has an excellent 242 Korea Meeting Planner’s Guide which will be distributed at AIME2008, with this detailed guide providing information on convention centres, hotels and venues all around the country.

It also contains lists of professional congress organizers and inbound tour operators.

This publication along with a Travel Planner’s Guide to Korea will be freely available from the ‘Korea, Sparkling’ stand at AIME2008.

A Report by The Mole