India and Korea sign MoU for cooperation in Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Government for the Republic of Korea for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism in New Delhi today.

K J Alphons, Union Tourism Minister and Do Jong-hwan Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sports, Republic of Korea signed the MoU and officials from the Ministry and their counterparts from the Korean side were also present during the signing ceremony. The MoU was signed by two parties desiring to strengthen and further develop the established relationship for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism.

“The signing of MoUs on tourism and sport will strengthen bilateral cooperation and lead to a wide range of exchanges between the two countries,” said Do Jong-hwan in an interview ahead of his arrival in India.

The main objectives of the MoU are to expand bilateral cooperation in tourism, including cooperation in data related to tourism, between tourism stakeholders, including hotels and tour operators, to establish exchange programmes for cooperation in human resource development and encourage investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors.

“India and Korea have enjoyed a strong diplomatic and long economic relationship. The two parties now desire to strengthen and further develop the established relationship for strengthening cooperation in the field of tourism,” said the Korean envoy in a statement.

Korea is one of the leading tourist-generating markets for India from East Asia. The MoU would be instrumental in increasing arrival from this source market, the statement said

K J Alphons, Union Tourism Minister and Do Jong-hwan, Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sports, Republic of Korea.

The MoU on tourism cooperation aims to encourage Korean and Indian citizens to travel to each other’s countries and promote cooperation and direct communication between stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries. It specifies exchange of information and data related to tourism, cooperation between hotels, establishing exchange programmes for cooperation in human resources development, sharing experience in promotion, marketing and destination development and management, and participating in travel fairs and exhibitions.