The nation marked the 39th anniversary of Tourism Day on Sept. 27 as the number of foreign inbound tourists is forecast to surpass a record high 11 million during the whole of 2012.

Figures released by the Korea Tourism Association showed that the number of foreign tourists stood at about 1.1 million during August, a 12.9 percent surge over the same month last year. The cumulative figure of foreign inbound tourists during the first eight months of the year topped 7.45 million, and the total for the whole of 2012 is predicted to surpass the 11 million mark by yearend. 

In particular, Chinese visitors totaled roughly 100,000 during Zhongqiu Jie, the Chinese version of Thanksgiving Day, which fell on Sept. 30 and China’s National Day holiday season between Oct. 1 and Oct. 7, raising the possibility that a record high of foreign tourists will be established. 

By region, inbound tourists from Asia jumped 15.7 percent, or 910,2000 people, while those from the Americas increased by 1.3 percent, or 74,000 people. 

Chinese tourists soared to 1.81 million in the first eight months of the year, a 26.7 percent jump from the same period of last year. Chinese visitors during August alone stood at 347,000, more than the Japanese, raising their influence on the Korean tourism industry. 

Meanwhile, the KTA hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Tourism Day at the Dragon Theater of the National Museum of Korea on Sept. 27. 

Among the roughly 600 people on hand at the ceremony were Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) Minister Choi Kwang-sik, KTA Chairman Nam Sang-man, and foreign diplomats stationed in Korea.  

Tourism Day is observed each year with the purpose of promoting the development of the Korean tourism industry and encouraging the morale of those in the industry. 

During the ceremony, 192 people received awards for their part in furthering the development of the Korean tourism industry. The coveted Order of Industrial Service, Gold Tower, went to Lotte Hotel President Song Yong-duk in recognition of her contribution to the development of the Korean tourism industry. Chess Tours President Kim Young-gyu and Choi Eun-ju, an official at Korean Air, were presented with the Order of Industrial Service, Silver Tower, and the Order of Industrial Service, Bronze Tower, respectively. Choi Dong-chul, chairman of the Incheon City Tourism Association, was honored with the Order of Industrial Service, Iron Tower.

Seven companies were honored for their foreign currency earnings. Grand Korea Leisure was awarded the $400 million Tourism Promotion Tower, while Paradise Walker Hill Casino received the $300 million Tourism Promotion Tower. Hwachang Tosan and Paradise Jeju Casino Branch were awarded the $20 million Tourism Promotion Tower and the $30 million Tourism Promotion Tower, respectively. Bico T.S. and Ice Tour each were presented with the $5 million Tourism Promotion Tower. 

In his commemorative speech at the ceremony, MCST Minister Choi said, “Foreign tourists are predicted to top 11.5 million during this year, and we strive to build the momentum to invigorate the Korean tourism industry by aggressively providing support for the development of high-quality and high-value added tourism products and by conducting a pilot project to promote one-night and two-day tours among schools and companies during this year prior to the full-fledged introduction slated for next year.”

KTA Chairman Nam said in his opening speech, “The Korean tourism industry has achieved a feat by attracting a monthly record high of 1 million foreign tourists this past July thanks to the spread of hallyu, also known as the Korean Wave.” He urged those in the Korean tourism industry to achieve a trade surplus, adding that it is now not easy for Korea to change the trade balance in the tourism sector to a surplus as the number of outbound Korean tourists has also surged. 

Nam said those in the Korean tourism industry should feel a sense of responsibility and devote themselves to invigorating the industry and raising the quality of tourism services.