DOT, CEB Seek More Korean Tourist Arrivals With Yeosu Expo

MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (CEB) has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the ongoing Yeosu Expo 2012 in Yeosu, South Korea, which runs until August 12, 2012.

An airline partner of the Philippine Pavillion, CEB shows its full support to tourism efforts by providing tickets, tour package rates and exposure to expo organizers, talents and travel agents throughout the three-month expo duration. It operates thrice daily flights from the Philippines to Seoul (Incheon) and eight weekly flights to Busan.

“As our top source of visitor traffic, the Korean market is of utmost importance to the Philippines' hospitality industry. Koreans accounted for nearly a quarter of the archipelago's tourism arrivals last year and they have been our number one market since 2006,” said Department of Tourism Secretary Mon Jimenez.

DOT reports indicate that 925,000 Koreans visited the Philippines in 2011, a 25% increase from the previous year. Meanwhile, CEB flew more than 380,000 passengers to and from South Korea, a 51% passenger increase compared to 2011.

“The Yeosu Expo has a marine sustainability theme, which is perfect for the Philippine islands’ inherent wealth in coastal and marine treasures. We are investing in a principal site in the Pacific Ocean Zone to best capture over 80,000 average daily expo visitors,” added Jimenez.

DOT’s Yeosu Expo participation is just one initiative to reach 2 million Korean arrivals by 2016. CEB seat sales as low as 50% off, lowest year round air fares as low as KRW99,000 (P3,999), and creative tour packages, also play a part in stimulating travel to the country.

“Despite their relative affluence, Koreans appreciate value-for-money fares in their purchase of air tickets. Similarly, the proliferation of Korean operators and establishments is bringing down rates that appeal to even more travelers,” Jimenez said.

CEB, for its part, highlights various Philippine destinations to Yeosu Expo visitors, such as Busuanga (Coron), Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, San Jose (Apo Reef), Dumaguete (Apo Island), and Puerto Princesa (Tubbataha Reef).

“The Cebu Pacific team is excited to work closely with DOT and other government agencies in promoting the Philippines’ world-class dive sites and island destinations. It will also continue to offer the lowest fares from South Korea direct to Manila and Cebu so more Koreans can visit and explore the country,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 20 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR-72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 38 aircraft – with an average age of 3.6 years – is the largest aircraft fleet in the Philippines. Between 2012 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 22 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders. It is slated to begin long-haul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

Yeosu Expo to yield 2-M Korean tourists for PHL

he Department of Tourism is eyeing 2 million Korean arrivals by 2016 as a result of its participation in the ongoing Yeosu Expo 2012 in South Korea which runs until Aug. 12.

In joining Yeosu Expo, the DOT has partnered with flag carrier Cebu Pacific. The airline will  provide expo organizers, talents and travel agents with tickets, tour package rates and exposure during the three-month expo.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said as the country's top source of visitor traffic, the Korean market is of utmost importance to the Philippine hospitality industry.

“Koreans accounted for nearly a quarter of the archipelago's tourism arrivals last year and they have been our number one market since 2006,” Jimenez said.

Tourism data showed that 925,000 Koreans visited the Philippines in 2011, up 25 percent from a year earlier. Meanwhile, CEB flew more than 380,000 passengers to and from South Korea, a 51-percent increase compared to 2010.

Jimenez said the Yeosu Expo has a marine sustainability theme, which is perfect for the Philippine islands’ inherent wealth in coastal and marine treasures.

"We are investing in a principal site in the Pacific Ocean Zone to best capture over 80,000 average daily expo visitors,” Jimenez said.

“Despite their relative affluence, Koreans appreciate value-for-money fares in their purchase of air tickets. Similarly, the proliferation of Korean operators and establishments is bringing down rates that appeal to even more travelers,” Jimenez said.

CEB, for its part, highlights various Philippine destinations to the expo visitors, such as Busuanga (Coron), Cebu, Boracay, Bohol, San Jose (Apo Reef), Dumaguete (Apo Island), and Puerto Princesa (Tubbataha Reef).

Candice Iyog, Cebu Pacific vice president for marketing and distribution, said CEB is excited to work closely with DOT and other government agencies in promoting the country's top tourist spots.

She said CEB would also continue to offer the lowest fares from South Korea direct to Manila and Cebu so more Koreans can visit and explore the country.

CEB operates thrice-daily flights from the Philippines to Seoul (Incheon) and eight weekly flights to Busan. Seat sales as low as 50-percent off, with lowest year-round air fares as low as 99,000 Korean won (P3,999).

The Philippine exhibit carries the theme “Islands of Diversity, Seas of Connectivity” to entice tropical holiday seekers, honeymooners and other special interest groups such as divers and beach enthusiasts, which make up a majority of Korean tourists. —VS, GMA News

Landmarks of Yeosu Expo

The panorama of Yeosu Expo '12 site '12

The Big O, a water screen that is a landmark of the Expo 2012, is seen during a media day of the expo, in Yeosu, South Korea.

The Thematic Pavilion for the EXPO 2012 planned by the Austrian architecture office SOMA will be opened in Yeosu on 11th of May. Soma’s design proposal One Ocean was selected as the first prize winner in an open international competition in 2009.

[Yeosu Expo] K-POP Stars "Let's Gather Around in Yeosu"

K-Pop stars, such as Super Junior, Shinee, Beast, 2PM and Wondergirls, will get together in Yeosu.

'12 Yeosu Expo Organization Committee stated that various performances ranging from K-Pop and World Pop to Classic will take place during Expo period, and revealed detailed lineup on May 8th.

'The Big Wave Concert', which is a special K-pop concert, will begin on 12th, the grand opening day, with Wonder Girls and Dynamic Duo, and will go on every week with other K-pop stars such as Shinee and Super Junior.

On June 15th, Busker Busker will perform 'Yeosu Night Sea', which rercently have caused a sensation.

In addition to Big Wave Concert, total of 16 shows, at least one show per week, will be performed on Big O afloat stage.

In addition to orean popular singers including 015B, Kim Jo-Han, Boohwal, DJ DOC and Kim Kyung-Ho, foreign stars such as world-famous R&B singer John Legend, classic idol star Ensemble Ditto and Mason Bates, a popular DJ and composer, will also participate in Yeosu Expo.

Yeosu Expo show schedules are posted on its homepage(www.expo2012.kr)
All shows including Big Wave Concert are free to every ticket holders. Tickets are available on its homepage or Interpart Ticket.

Organization Committee official said "Besides exhibition, diverse shows can make Expo merrily. Especially, I think cheap K-Pop concerts(available to everyone with ticket which is approximately 30,000 won) will be very popular among tourists from overseas."

Yeosu Expo is a second Expo to be held in Korea following 1993 Daejeon Expo, and is chosen as 'one of the tourist destination that one should visit this year' by various eminent presses including CNN and Lonely Planet.

K-POP Water Show, Expectation High

Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea opens on the 12th and expectation on the K-POP Water Show is high.

According to the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea  Organizing Committee, Wonder Girls, Dinamic Duo, and Simon D will appear in the special concert "Big Wave Concert". Also large wooden dolls and marine life characters will appear in the water show.

Wonders Girls who topped the K-POP chart with "Be My Baby" will show its Korean Wave again in the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Water Show.

Dynamic Duo and Simon D who is leading the Korean Hiphop globalization will move not only the Korean fans but also the foreigners.

Big Wave Concert will open that day and continue in 26th, June 16th and 30th, July 7th and 14th, April 4th from 7:30 to 8:30.

Spectators will enjoy the day because there are many performances and events being prepared besides K-POP show.

At 2:00 PM, theme performance of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea called the "Flowering Sea" water show will be held for 70 minutes.

Main charater "Sea Flower Girl" and "Coast Boy" will show a thrilling performance along the marine life charater.

153 people will perform in the water show, and road performance, clown performance, water stunt, art circus will be be combined in the water show.

You will regret it if you miss the night water screen Big oh show using "The-O".

For the first time in the world, a hologram image will be penetrated through the water, and water fountain show as wells as flame show will move the spectators.

In the tent theater, Buhwal's first concert will be held at 8:20 PM for an hour.

K-Pop Festa is relay-concert form to be held throughout May, in which Korean famous artists such as Bu Hwal, Jeok-woo, 015B, Kim Cho-han, DJ.DOC, Geomi, Kim Kyeong-ho, will appear.

The historical reunion stage to be performed by Shin Hae-cheol and Shin Dae-cheol is particularly interesting.

At the tent theater, 12 types of special stages called 'Dancing Hero' which includes Hip-hop, Modern dance, Break Dance and Pop dance, will be provided between 12 pm to 1 pm. And the world's first silent comedy 'Gamarchoba' will be provided between 4 pm to 5 pm.

Dancing Hero and Gamarchoba will be shown till 1st July and 18th May individually.

At the children's theater, experienceable performances 'Nanta for children' and 'Garuya Garuya' will be open. Also many other children's performances like goblin band with natural sound 'Beatle Goblin', 'Bumped Apple', 'Tum-tum Bang-bang', 'Teeth', 'Who shat on my head?', will be performed.

The participant nations' cultural performances will also be provided everyday.

On the first day of the Expo, Indonesian and Cambodian performances will be played at 12:30 pm and 4 pm individually at the Ocean Square.

Besides, street and traditional performances will be provided for the audiences waiting in line of the exhibition. And Coast guard's training ship, russian sailboat 'Hagemga', Coreana, cargo vessel anchored at the ship exhibition dock, will provide boarding experience.

The organizing committee of Yeosu Expo's Cutural Event department head Kim Kwang-yong said "Yeosu Expo's cultural performances will be on the ocean with the ocean as the stage" and "You can learn about the ocean through the exhibitions and enjoy about the ocean through the performances".

The opening ceremony of Yeosu Expo will be played with 'Dreaming Ocean' as the theme at the Ocean Stage at 6 pm on 11th, the day before the opening.

At the opening ceremony, the Jeolla provincial governor Park Jun-young, the chairman of BIE, the chairman of the organizing committee, the member of Parliament, the representatives of participating nations and international organizations, the leaders of the Green Growth Summit, etc. will attend. And the First day will be a simple ceremony at the entrance of Expo Digital Gallery at 8 am on 12th.

Yeosu Expo will be open for 93 days from 12th May till 12th August with the theme of 'Living Ocean, Breathing Coast'.

It will be the world-class festival with 80 special exhibitions where you can learn about the importance of the ocean and enjoy various cultural performances. 104 nations and 10 international organizations will participate.

3. "Travelled around the world to visit Yeosu Expo"

Operating personnel of Joint Pavilion's 56 participating nations were invited for 7 days of training, and experienced Korea.

65 foreigners from 56 'small' nations of 3 oceans gathered at Yeosu Expo on 26th. Operating personnel of Joint Pavilion's participating nations, Africa, South America, Asian developing countries and South Pacific Islands, were invited for the 7 days training program to learn about the Expo and Korean culture.

105 nations will participate at Yeosu Expo's International Pavilion, 50 nations through Individual National Pavilion and 56 nations through Joint Pavilion. This program was intended for the 56 nations which will participate through Joint Pavilion, such as East Timor, Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Maldives, El Salvador, etc.

The participants stayed at the Expo Town, the expo's staff accommodation, and learned about visa and stay, commercial activities in the Expo, IT services, operation of exhibition, customs and transportation, national day event, etc. Based on these learnings, they will manage each nation's exhibition and promote their displays throughout the Expo period(12.05~12.08).

Most of the participants visited Korea for the first time. Ecuadorian participant Antonella Carrascozuffi, who arrived late night on 23rd, said, "I wish to promote Galapagos islands, Ecuador's attraction and marine sanctuary, through the Expo and experience Korean cultures like K-Pop", and "As I visited the Expo sites, the venue, built beside ocean was splendid and i am proud to work there"

On 26th, the participants looked around the facilities and their exhibition halls, and experienced Korean cultures like Mask Dance. They participated in the rehearsal of Yeosu Expo on 28th(Sat), and explored Yeosu suburbs such as Suncheon Bay and Nakan Castle on 29th(Sun).

The Joint Pavilion is divided into 3 ocean clusters that are the Atlantic, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean, with the participations mainly comprised of developing countries. The Atlantic Pavilion comprises 30 nations including Gambia, the Pacific Pavilion comprises 16 nations including Papua New Guinea, and the Indian Ocean Pavilion comprises 10 nations including Kenya. A small island state of Caricom Antigua and Barbuda , fantastic islands Tuvalu and Nauru, and a world class attraction although a small island Seychelles, will also participate.

The director of International Pavilion Kim Young-seok said, "the Individual National Pavilions which will provide high-tech and fancy displays will be wonderful, but the Joint Pavilion where you can experience the cultures and ocean stories of unfamiliar countries will also be very attractive".

2. Yeosu ready to welcome expo guests

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2012/05/123_110081.html

Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea will run from May 12 through Aug. 12, under the theme, ``The Living Ocean and Coast.’’

The organizing committee said 105 countries and 10 international organizations have confirmed their participation in the largest global event ever hosted by the coastal city.

The committee expects to attract a total of 10 million visitors, including 550,000 from overseas. About 300,000 Chinese are expected, followed by 200,000 from Japan. Those from Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas will account for the remainder.

``We had initially expected about 100 nations to take part in the Yeosu Expo. But the figure has reached 105. This shows the upcoming festival has attracted a great deal of attention from the global community,’’ said Kang Dong-suk, chairman of the organizing committee.

``We completed the construction of the exhibition pavilions and support facilities by March. Since the beginning of April, we have started test-operating all the facilities and plan to provide a perfect service to visitors,’’ Kang said.

Organizers have been operating about 80 exhibition facilities and rehearsing a variety of cultural performances, while recruiting thousands of mock visitors to have them provide feedback.

``Based on their opinions, we have modified our programs and improved facilities to offer visitors services second to none,’’ the chairman said. ``We have been working hard for the past four years to make preparations for the Yeosu Expo. We are confident the upcoming festival will be one of the world’s most successful.’’

What to see

The Yeosu Expo boasts 80 exhibition facilities, including the Korea Pavilion, the International Pavilion and seven corporate pavilions.

There are also four must-see thematic facilities. First, the Big-O will be a venue to experience the theme of Yeosu Expo.

Expo Digital Gallery will be the main thoroughfare, passing through the heart of the International Pavilion. Visitors will feel like they are walking under the sea by viewing various digitalized marine creatures swimming on a large screen installed overhead.

The Marine Life Pavilion is also hoped to be one of the most visited during the three-month fair. It will exhibit diverse marine ecosystems of the five oceans.

Sky Tower, abandoned silos that have been turned into an observation deck, provides a great view of the entire expo site and its surrounding area.

``When the expo comes to an end after its three-month run, we will tear down most of the structures. But the Big-O and Sky Tower will remain intact to attract hundreds of thousands of tourists to Yeosu for many years to come,’’ Kang said.

Transportation & accommodation

``Korail, the state-run railroad operator, now operates a bullet train between Yeosu and Seoul, reducing travel time significantly,’’ he said.

The chairman added visitors will be able to come to the expo site via sea as ferries will link Yeosu with Busan and Jeju. ``For foreign visitors from China and Japan, they can take ferries and dock at the port, which is right next to the expo venue.’’

Kang said there are about 1,000 hotel rooms in Yeosu and the nearby area, including the newly-constructed MVL hotel at the expo site that has 331 rooms.

To ease the expected shortage of rooms, the chairman said the organizing committee has been in talks with travel agencies to have foreign guests stay in Busan, Gwangju and other large cities nearby, and shuttle them back and forth.