FROM November 1, the Greater Busan CVB will come under a new umbrella tourism body that will look at nurturing conventions, incentives and leisure groups for South Korea’s second-largest city.
Speaking to the Daily, Greater Busan CVB manager, tourism marketing, June Kim, said the Busan Tourism Organization (its working name for now), would act as a “control tower” for all things related to tourism including marketing and development.
“The mayor sees the MICE industry as a key driver of economic growth for Busan, and with this change, we will see a centralisation of efforts and less wastage of funds,” she said, adding that suppliers and trade associations now held their own promotions.
Busan Metropolitan City exhibition and convention division deputy director, Ha Young Ho, pointed out that this would also mean Busan growing its presence at international tradeshows independent of the Korea Tourism Organization, such as its participation at IT&CM India. While it only has a booth in this inaugural edition of the show, the intentions are for a standalone pavilion next year.
He said: “We see potential in the Indian market because it is so big. Both Busan and India are also strong in IT, so there is an opportunity to tap that area for meetings and incentives.”
Read more in TTG Show Daily – IT&CM India 2012
