New President of Korea Tourism Organization Takes Office: Yeo Ik-soo Says Taiwanese Have Stronger Travel Aspirations Than Others

Reported by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

The Taipei Branch of the Korea Tourism Organization held a farewell and welcome dinner for the outgoing and incoming presidents tonight (11th). Former President Yoo Jin-ho recently stepped down, and new President Yeo Ik-soo will officially assume office on the 15th of this month. The dinner gathered major travel agencies and airlines to celebrate the transition. Yoo Jin-ho retired after a successful three-year tenure, and will be succeeded by Yeo Ik-soo, who previously served as section chief at the Taipei Branch.


▲ Farewell and welcome ceremony for the outgoing (left) and incoming (right) presidents of the Korea Tourism Organization. Outgoing President Yoo Jin-ho (left) and incoming President Yeo Ik-soo (right), who officially takes office on the 15th. (Photo / Reporter Chen Tzu-yin)

Yoo Jin-ho has served as president in Taiwan since June 2011. In 2012, the number of Taiwanese visitors to Korea first exceeded 500,000. During his three-year tenure, theThe "KOREA PLAZA," which opened in April this year, serves as an exchange space designed to make it easier for Taiwanese travelers to experience Korean culture, and it is also the first overseas exhibition center established by a foreign tourism bureau in Taiwan.

The newly appointed president, Jung Ik-soo, also has deep ties to Taiwan. Having come to Taiwan as early as 1988, he served as section chief of the Taipei branch of the Korea Tourism Organization in 1996, and he has unique insights into the Taiwanese market.He said, “Taiwan is an island nation with a relatively small land area, so its people have an even stronger desire to travel compared to those from inland countries.” He also believes that with the development of air travel, the number of tourists traveling between Taiwan and South Korea is expected to rise further.

Zhengyishouyebiaoshi,Weilaisannianzaitaiwanlvyoushichangjiangyizhutishidelvyoufangxiangqianjin,Genghuizhuozhongzaihuwaiyundonglvyou,Xiangshidengshan,Danchezheleide,He said: "Taiwanese people love riding bikes. I want to invite Taiwanese people to Korea to ride bikes."”Zheng Yishou gave an example: there is a complete bicycle path from Seoul to Busan in South Korea, suitable for cycling enthusiasts to challenge themselves. You can fly to Seoul, complete the cycling trip, and then return to Taiwan from Busan.


▲The Korea Tourism Organization held a farewell and welcome dinner, with major airlines and travel agencies attending the celebration.(Photo by reporter Chen Ziying)