Meeting explores possible cooperation between Korea and Seychelles

Korea’s 2nd Vice Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr. Sun-Kyoo Park, welcomed Alain St.Ange, the CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, and his delegation at his Ministry at 215 Changgyeonggung-ro in Jongno-gu, Seoul, for a meeting that followed the 19th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly that was held in Korea.

Mr. St.Ange was accompanied at the meeting by Mr. Dong Chang Jeong, the Head of the Seychelles Tourism Board’s Korea Office, and also the Seychelles Consul in Korea, Ms. Julie Kim, the Board’s Manager in Korea, and Ms. Sharen Venus, the Senior Marketing Executive at the Seychelles Tourism Board.

The meeting explored the different avenues of possible cooperation between Korea and the Seychelles. Korea’s participation with a cultural delegation at the 2012 Seychelles “Carnaval International de Victoria” was also discussed, as well as a visit to Seychelles by the Minister. The CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board also invited Korea to consider sending a Korean Navy Ship to Seychelles during the carnival period to join with other navies from other friendly countries to showcase the solidarity of the Community of Nations in the continued war against the plague of piracy that has hit the sea routes of the African Coast.

The Korean Minister has assured the Seychelles delegation of the support of Korea in areas discussed and expressed his desire to visit Seychelles if possible during the 2012 carnival. He also invited Seychelles to look into further dialogue for training possibilities of Seychellois in Korea.

Alain St.Ange said after the meeting with the Korean Minister that he was delighted by the welcome and by the desire of Korea to assist Seychelles, and to work with Seychelles in the areas discussed. “It was an honor to be received by the Korean Minister, and it was encouraging to see the bond of friendship that is being cultivated by our consul in Seoul. Following the visit by President Michel in Korea, Seychelles is now more known as a potential tourist destination for Korean holiday makers. We need to work at it if we want to diversify our markets and if we want to get our fair share of this particular market. It is clear that our Korea Office is working, and at our November Marketing Meeting we shall relook at any increase in support we can provide to this office that is manned by our consul and that we have working so well for our country in Korea,” said Alain St.Ange.