KTO had recently launched Korea Specialist.net, an e-learning training program for travel agents in the GCC region and other Middle Eastern countries www.koreaspecialist.net. The prime objective of this program is to boost the knowledge of the destination among the travel trade. While the program was launched in other countries some time ago, this is the first time it is being introduced in the Middle East.

Korea is positioned as a premium destination with state of art tourism infrastructure and a diversified range of activities such as 24 hour shopping, modern theme parks, 5000 year old history and many more. The country is very safe, clean and the people are friendly and helpful. Therefore, for a Korea Specialist professional, the destination not only generates revenues but higher profits, an excellent product knowledge and building up an elite client database.

The tourism arrivals in Korea touched 8.87 million in 2010, up from 7.81 arrivals in 2009.

Mr. Seunghyun Hwang, the regional Director of Dubai office, commented that “as a result of the ongoing Visitkorea campaign 2010-2012, the numbers are fast increasing and we expect to achieve our objective of targeting 10 million people before the end of this campaign.”

The GCC tourist arrivals in 2010 have increased a remarkable 63 percent with Saudi and UAE arrivals exceeding 100%.

Visit Korea Year 2010-2012 – The “Visit Korea Year” is a 3 year global campaign started in 2010 and will continue until 2012, to introduce the hospitality and attractions of Korea to tourists visiting the country. Several initiatives are lined up during this campaign ranging from festivals and regional events to International events and discounts programs.