Is the tourism industry in Korea seeking stimulus measures from the government in order to mitigate the effects of the current crisis? SK: Not because of the crisis, but the Korea Tourism Organization and the Seoul Tourism Organization, with the support of the central government, have an on-going project helping the tourism industry in various ways including tax cuts for hotels, as part of the general tourism promotion effort.
Another example is convention marketing. The Korea Convention Bureau and the Seoul Convention Bureau are taking stimulus measures to host international conventions and exhibitions.
For instance, the Seoul Tourism Organization offers up to 60 million won (just under 50,000 dollars) in financial assistance for each international convention or an exhibition attracted to Seoul (other cities offer similar programmes with varying amounts).
Seoul already ranks second after Singapore in the number of international conventions attracted in 2008 (according to the International Congress & Convention Association).