Seoul became the first Asian city to host the GCC Days 2011 Seminars, until now only held in European cities such as Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and London. On February 10^th, over 300 officials and specialists from Gulf Cooperation Council countries – the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait – and experts from the local community gathered in Seoul to discuss ways of promoting exchange and cultural understanding between Korea and the GCC region. 

Seoul’s selection as a launching point for a GCC Days seminar in Asia reflects the already long and significant relationship between South Korea and GCC nations. Together, the six member states comprise the nation’s fourth-largest trading partner. 

Nonetheless, bilateral tourism for both regions is new territory. During her presentation at GCC Days 2011, Vice-President of the Seoul Convention Bureau, Maureen O’Crowley said, “While the Middle East and Korea have long been trading partners, they are still quite new travel destinations for each other.”  

O’Crowley went on to expound the ways in which tourism provides solutions to many of the issues discussed during the two-day seminar. “Tourism is a powerful industry – one capable of not only generating revenue, but of changing perceptions, dispelling stereotypes, fostering goodwill, and increasing understanding. It is an industry that both the Gulf and Korea have only recently looked to diversify and expand as an economic driver – to move away from a dependence on our established ones of oil and manufacturing.” 

Khalid Musaliem Al-rawas, Director General of the Oman Department of Tourism, believes that the industry provides a strategic opportunity to broaden international relations with Korea. “Tourism can either contribute to or drive economic growth, and provide spin-offs that cannot be provided by other sectors,” he said, adding “There are many examples where tourism is center-stage in national economic strategies or where tourism is a valuable secondary activity that assists wider investment attractions strategies, such as conventions and exhibitions.” 

In order to facilitate increased tourism between Seoul and the Middle East, O’Crowley proposed the creation and distribution of publicity materials indicating facilities in Seoul that cater to the Arab visitor. Collaboration with Korea-Middle East organizations such as the host of GCC Days, the Korea-Arab Society, could lend credibility to these materials.  She also mentioned that Seoul will have to expand and improve its Hallal restaurants 

Ideas proposed by other scholars and officials at the seminar included the creation of foundations, cultural festivals, Arab culture weeks, and adding more university level programs for Middle Eastern and Korean studies.  

The two-day event was held at the Lotte Hotel’s Sapphire room, and featured presentations on economic cooperation, the role of women in development, and strengthening relations between GCC countries and Korea.  VIP’s in attendance included Abdulrahman Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, Secretary General of the GCC, Seung-Hoh Choi, Secretary General of the Korea-Arab Society, and Mohamed Salim Alharthy, Ambassador of Oman to South Korea. 

The Seoul Tourism Organization is a joint venture launched by the city and private enterprise in February 2008 with a core mission to promote Seoul as a convention and tourism destination. The Seoul Convention Bureau, a division of the STO, represents Seoul’s meetings industry and business tourism interests. 

For more information, please contact Alex Paik of the Seoul Tourism Organization on 82-2-3788-8160 or email to alex@seoulwelcome.com. Log onto our website at www.miceseoul.com or visit us on www.facebook.com/miceseoul and www.twitter.com/miceseoul.