Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) will extend its support for the ‘Made in Korea’ 2012 (MIK 2012) exhibition to be held in May at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec).

This follows a rise in the number of South Koreans staying in the emirate’s hotels. The latest ADTA figures show that last year some 9,580 South Koreans stayed in Abu Dhabi hotels - a 73 per cent increase on 2010.

“The rise in hotel guests from Korea reflects increasing business links between the two destinations and follows the introduction last year of a daily Etihad Airways service from Incheon to Abu Dhabi International airport,” said Khulood Al Marzouqi, section head, business tourism, ADTA.

“Koreans have proven to be high spenders in the market and a particular boon to our golfing proposition, which now includes no less than three championship standard courses within a 25-minute car drive.
“This exhibition will bring us in direct contact with an influential Korean audience as it features companies promoting the latest products, services and technologies emanating out of South Korea,” he said.
Organisers of Made in Korea say they are preparing a dedicated showcase of the widest selection of tourism destinations and value-added services in South Korea and the UAE. More than 50,000 Korean tourists already visit the UAE annually, while South Korea has witnessed a 29.5 per cent increase in Emirati tourists in 2011 compared to the previous year, demonstrating the huge potential for cooperation and mutual growth in the field of tourism for both countries.

MIK 2012, which will run from May 21 to 23, 2012, at Adnec, has been widely anticipated as a key networking platform between Korean and UAE businesses that want to capitalise on the strong bilateral relations and rapidly expanding economic cooperation between the two countries.

Faisal Al Raisi, managing partner at Ideal Idea Events, organisers of MIK 2012, said: “Over the past several years we have witnessed a growing number of South Korean businessmen and investors travelling to the UAE, attracted by the country’s political and economic stability and its strategic location that makes it an excellent business base in the Middle East. Tourism, however, is another strategically important area of cooperation as it complements the strong economic relations between the UAE and South Korea by building goodwill and promoting cultural understanding between the people of both countries.”
 
“Made in Korea 2012 is therefore strongly committed to cultivate stronger ties among key stakeholders of the tourism industry in South Korea and the UAE, while creating new channels of cooperation and interaction by providing a dedicated business-to-business networking platform for key players in the tourism industry of the two countries. Moreover, in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority and leading travel companies from both countries, we have prepared the widest selection of holiday destinations and value-added tourism services that will surely help generate greater interest and consequently increase travel between the UAE and South Korea,” added Al Raisi.

MIK 2012 will gather at least 300 high-profile Korean exhibitors from a wide range of industries including tourism, automotive, engineering, metal, hospitality, textile, electrical, chemicals, rubber & plastics, power, healthcare, ICT, media, construction, furniture, fashion and even sport.

Representatives from Korean government agencies and regulatory authorities will also be present to meet with their counterparts from the UAE and other Arab countries. Organisers also expect over 25,000 visitors during the three-day exhibition. – TradeArabia News Service