Chairman Kim Hong-joo of the Korea Tourism Association (KSA) gives a speech at a New Year’s meeting of people in the Korean tourism industry community at Seoul Plaza in downtown Seoul on Jan. 13.

KTO President Chung Chang-soo of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) speaks at the New Year’s event.

About 1,000 people in the Korean tourism industry got together at a New Year’s meeting at Seoul Plaza in downtown Seoul on Jan. 13 to pledge to contribute to the development of the industry and promote communication and solidarity through networking.

The event, held under the catchphrase “Touring More, Wider, Happier,” was sponsored by the Korea Tourism Association. 

Among those on hand at the event were Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoon-sun,; KTA Chairman Kim Hong-joo; Rep. Yeom Dong-ryul; and ambassadors of major foreign countries. 

In his New Year’s message, KTA Chairman Kim urged everyone involved in tourism to be proud of contributing to vigorous growth of the national economy. The KTA will spearhead efforts to bring about qualitative growth of the tourism industry, and incorporate new changes, he added.

In her commemorative speech, Minister Cho of the MCST said, “Those in the tourism industry are ‘civilian ambassadors’ who introduce Korea’s history and tourism resources.” She urged them to play a part as a strong bulwark to prop up the tourism industry with a sense of pride and mission. 

The participants conducted a “fingerprint tree performance,” a gesture to express their pledge and determination to make Korea an advanced tourism country.

About 1,000 people in the Korean tourism industry community attend the New Year’s meeting at Seoul Plaza in downtown Seoul on Jan. 13. They included Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cho Yoon-sun,; KTA Chairman Kim; Rep. Yeom Dong-ryul,; and ambassadors of major foreign countries.