The Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO – visitkorea.or.kr) is exhibiting across the WTM Portfolio in 2015 to help it reach its global visitor target of 15 million tourists.
Following a hugely successful World Travel Market 2014 in London last November, the KTO is exhibiting across the WTM Portfolio at WTM Africa, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, and flagship event WTM in London.
The WTM Portfolio, which in 2014 generated almost $7 billion of new business, has seen many large, well-known travel organisations such as Turkey, Ravos Rail, Brand USA, Malaysia and Thailand come on board as exhibitors across the array of global events that are held in London, Dubai, Sao Paulo and Cape Town.
The KTO had its “largest ever” showcase last year at WTM – including its biggest stand ever alongside its sponsorship of the WTM Buyers’ Club – to promote its new marketing campaign ‘Imagine Your Korea’.
“The WTM Portfolio of events is the ideal platform for Korea to promote the very best of the destination as we strive to reach 15 million visitors to Korea by the end of 2015” explains Ramy Salameh, PR Manager, KTO.
The WTM Portfolio covers the key markets that KTO are targeting; WTM in London specifically from a UK and global perspective and also it remains one of the key dates when many of the KTO’s partners can meet during the year. WTM Latin America and WTM Africa are growing markets the KTO is targeting and Arabian Travel Market is key for its growing luxury sector.
“Our primary function at the events is to be a platform for our partners to do business and with the WTM Portfolio’s global reach and respect, it’s a great opportunity for KTO to take advantage of the traffic and promotional opportunities” Salameh adds.
KTO ensures they take advantage of the WTM Portfolio’s initiatives throughout the year to guarantee they maximise return on investment at each of the events such as attending speed networking events, submitting My Invitations and making use of all the PR opportunities available.
Salameh explains: “Attending the various speed networking opportunities, to meet buyers’, bloggers and TV production companies is vital for the KTO in doing business.
“Without these networking opportunities bringing the industry together, it would have been extremely difficult to find or meet with the people we did at WTM” Salameh comments.
As a result of the Destination TV Speed Networking session, which WTM in London held for the first time last year, Korea are currently in talks with leading media and production company Blink TV and are hoping it will lead to a fruitful partnership going forward.
World Travel Market Portfolio Director, Craig Moyes said: “We are delighted to welcome the Korea Tourism Organisation as a key exhibitor across the portfolio.
“Korea is an exciting, dynamic destination, offering travellers some of the most fascinating heritage and culture. Its ambitious new branding campaign “Imagine Your Korea” brings with it huge opportunities for business deals and lucrative partnerships that will take place during the portfolio of events.”
The WTM Portfolio 2015 schedule of events is;
WTM Africa, Cape Town, 15-17 April
WTM Latin America, Sao Paulo, 22-24 April
Arabian Travel Market, Dubai, 4-7 May
World Travel Market, London, 2-5 November
