Korean Tourism Organisation (KTO) has planned a strenuous campaign to woo more Sri Lankan holiday makers to visit South Korea and the organization already has had discussions with Sri Lankan travel agents and airlines operating to Colombo which have convenient connections to Seoul.

KTO’s Director for South Asia Tae Shik Kim was in the island last week and met the Travel Agents and some of the Airline Managers in Colombo.

Kim told "Aviation" that the discussions proved to be successful and the travel agents and the airlines expressed their fullest cooperation in making the endeavour a success.

"Our target is 20,000 Sri Lankan holiday makers to visit South Korea by the year 2011 and enjoy the exotic tourist attractions in the country," he said.

Last year around 14,000 Sri Lankans have visited South Korea but this number includes the business travellers as well as migrant labour, Kim noted.

KOT will offer tailor made tour packages for Sri Lankans and the Korean Travel Agents are already working on them Kim said.

He attributed the fact that the small number of Sri Lankan holiday makers visiting South Korea was due to lack of awareness of places of tourist interest other than the capital Seoul and the diverse tourist attractions available.

"Another key factor is the unavailability of direct flights to Seoul from Colombo," he explained.

Kim said KTO will strongly recommend Korean Air to resume operations to Colombo since the 30 year old civil strife has come to an end where peace has dawned on the country.

"Safety comes first and now the international travellers don’t have to be concerned about this factor any longer when visiting Sri Lanka," he pointed out.

Kim said Sri Lanka Tourism should get cracking with its international campaign without any undue delay as the world is anxiously waiting to see what it’s new tourism product is in the post war period.

He emphasised the need for more Korean restaurants in Sri Lanka as the availability of cuisine of different countries is a key factor if Sri Lanka is to emerge as a top tourist destination in the region.

We will organise Familiarisation Trips (FAM) for travel agents to Seoul and the lesser known tourist attractions in South Korea for them to gain first hand experience about the products and market them more effectively Kim said.

Thai Airways International General Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives Weearawat Swasdibutra has already agreed to provide free passage for travel agents to fly to Seoul via Bangkok on the FAM trip and the airline will also offer different packages for holiday makers to visit South Korea he said.

Korean Tourism Organisation has plans to promote Colombo with other South East Asian airlines as well as Sri Lanka’s national carrier SriLankan Airlines he said.

"South Korea is also a top Meetings Incentives Coferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in Asia and we are vigorously promoting this market with many incentives," he said.

For groups of over 15 pax one lunch or dinner is given complementary and they are also entitled to enjoy a Cultural performance free of charge Kim said.

South Korea is also a popular destination for honeymooners and Jeju islands is a one of he most sought after places he said.

Among the other plans of KTO is encouraging Business travelers to visit Korea with their families and enjoy a Business/Leisure trip where different packages will be offered he said.