Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea August 2011
An actor poses with volunteers for Yeosu Expo
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
Discount offered on advance sale tickets Expo volunteers, each with unique stories Japan seeks to boost its tourism industry through Yeosu Expo Malaysian tourism industry shows mounting interest in Yeosu Expo
The Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea Tel: +82-1577-2012 550-010 #100 Deokchungan-gil, Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, Korea Website: www.expo2012.or.kr E-mail: news4u@expo2012.or.kr
2 August 2011
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
Discount offered on advance sale tickets Pre-sale tickets will be sold at a 15 percent discount until the end of August, at a 10 percent discount from September through the year’s end, and at a 5 percent discount from January next year through to the day before the Opening Ceremony. With an admission ticket to the Expo, a visitor can access over 100 exhibits of international and Korean participants, on-site experience facilities and Korea’s largest aquarium and also enjoy up to 10 daily performances.
Ticket sales for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea The Organizing Committee for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea released, on June 28, the types, designs and prices of admission tickets to the event and began online ticket sales. Advance tickets can be purchased through the website of Yeosu Expo (http://eng.expo2012.or.kr/). Tickets cost 33,000 won (about 31 USD) for adults, 25,000 won (about 23 USD) for teenagers and 19,000 won (about 18 USD) for senior citizens and children. Now available for advance sales are standard day-pass tickets, and peak-day admission tickets to events, such as the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, for which large numbers of visitors are expected to come. Peak-day tickets cost 20 percent more than standard day-pass tickets.
In efforts to prevent visitor congestion, the Organizing Committee also introduced the peak-day admission tickets and put a limit on the number of available tickets a day for distribution to visitors. Since over-crowding is expected at ticket centers, those who plan to visit the Expo during the vacation season or on holidays are also advised to book tickets in advance. Admission tickets can only be purchased online until the end of this year. Offline purchases will be available in January, next year. A discount will be offered on multiple-day passes (for two days, three days or the entire period) and evening admission tickets for those who visit the Expo after 5 p.m. Seol Mun-sik, Director General for Marketing, said, “Admission ticket prices were set based on the admission fees for other major exhibitions, surveys on public perception and attitudes, and expert opinion. The ticket costs amount to around 86 percent of the ticket cost for Korea’s major amusement parks.” He added, “We expect the Yeosu Expo will draw a large number of visitors.”
Expo volunteers, each with unique stories On August 1, the Organizing Committee announced that more than 45,000 people had applied for volunteer position, during the application period from April 1 through July 10, vying for only 13,000 volunteer jobs. Most of the volunteers show a particular affection for the sea and have unusual stories to tell. Choi Yoon-min,who has volunteered to work as an interpreter, lives in Taean County, South Chungcheong Province. When Korea’s worst oil spill occurred in the waters off the
Expo volunteers promotion video
3 August 2011
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
coast of Taean, her family and friends, who made their living working on the sea, suffered huge losses. However, they saw hope for the future when volunteers came from across the country to clean up the oil slick along the shoreline of Taean’s coast. Choi said, “Because of the oil spill, I realized the importance of the sea, which I hadn’t been aware of, despite my living in a coastal town.” She added, “Through my volunteer work at Yeosu Expo, I’d like to promote the charm of Korea and the value of the oceans.” Anna Yeralyova who has volunteered to help in the welfare and educational programs, comes from the landlocked country of Kazakhstan. According to Yeralyova, Kazaks have a great interest in the sea due to the public fear over water and food shortages even though Kazakhstan is not adjacent to a sea.” She added, “In addition to the volunteer work, I’d like to
use this opportunity to live in a town by the sea and enjoy the beauty of Korea’s south coast.” The crew of volunteers also includes many Japanese people. Watanabe Hiroyuki a volunteer interpreter, who is fluent in Korean, has applied to be a volunteer because he regretted that he did not go to the 1975 World Exposition in Okinawa, Japan. The Okinawa Expo was held under the theme of “The Sea We Would Like to See.” Watanabe said, “Japan is an island nation so Japanese people are very interested in ocean-themed expositions.” He added, “I’d like to realize my dream of taking part in the world expo for the ocean as I failed to do so as a teenager.”
In Brief China holds press conference to introduce the theme of the China Pavilion at Yeosu Expo In a press conference held on July 20 at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in Beijing, China unveiled the theme of its pavilion for Yeosu Expo and its mascot and logo. Zhao Zhenge, an executive in charge of running the China Pavilion, said that it had chosen “Sea of Dependency” as the theme, focusing on the interdependence of humans and the sea. He added that China will actively work to let the world know about its efforts to protect the marine environment during Yeosu Expo. Meanwhile, about 100 local journalists attended the press conference, attesting their keen interest in Yeosu Expo.
“I’d also like to return the favor to the Korean people who helped us when we suffered from the massive earthquake last March,” he added. Logo and mascot of China Pavilion
Japan seeks to boost its tourism industry through Yeosu Expo
Chairman Kang at the Expo briefing session held in Japan
A promotional tour for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea in Japan’s major cities has produced successful results. A briefing session held at Hotel New Otani drew more than 130 people, twice the number expected. It also drew much media attention from leading Japanese media outlets, such as the Mainichi Shimbun. Interview sessions with Chairman Kang Dong-suk of the Organizing Committee were held during the promotional tour. For the tour, the Organizing Committee joined hands with the Korea Tourism
Organization, South Jeolla Province, and the Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix Organizing Committee to set up a promotional delegation led by Chairman Kang. During the four-day tour which began on July 12, the delegation promoted Yeosu Expo in major Japanese cities, including Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. Delegates held briefing sessions for journalists and travel agencies and met with Japanese Government officials and representatives of the Japanese tourism industry, Korean organizations based in Japan, and Korean-Japanese organizations in order to encourage visits to the Expo.
The Organizing Committee runs eco-friendly commuter bus S e e k i n g t o h o l d a g r e e n E x p o, t h e Organizing Committee said it had started to run a clean diesel hybrid commuter bus for its employees from July 11. The bus is environmentally -friendly as its fuel efficiency is about 40 percent higher than other Clean diesel CNG buses and hybrid commuter bus it emits 30 percent less carbon dioxide than other conventional vehicles. The bus is also being used as a mobile billboard for Yeosu Expo as its exterior is printed with the Expo’s mascots -- Yeony and Suny -- along with its emblem and an aerial view of the Expo site.
Jet ferry to be in service between Yeosu and Fukuoka A high-speed ferry “Beatle” of Japan Kyushu Railway Co. test-sailed to Yeosu on June 29. The newly created sea route will help Japanese passengers travel from Fukuoka to Yeosu in 3 hours and 45 minutes d u r i n g Ye o s u Expo. The Beatle will Yeosu-Fukuoka jet ferry b e d e p l o y e d during the Formula 1 Korean Grand Prix in October and for Yeosu Expo (May-August) next year. If demand rises, regular lines may open for April to November 2012.
4 August 2011
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
Chairman Kang said, “Next year’s Yeosu Expo will turn Yeosu into a venue for an exciting maritime festival by incorporating the host city’s natural beauty, cuisine, and cultural and historical assets under the theme of the ocean and coast.” He invited everyone in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka to
visit Yeosu Expo and enjoy the beautiful tourist attractions in Korea’s South Jeolla Province. Matano Mitomo, a director at the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, said at a briefing session, “Yeosu Expo is
deeply related to Japan as the event is themed on the ocean.” He added, “In particular, the Expo will help boost Japanese tourism, which has been stagnant in the wake of the massive earthquake in March.”
Malaysian tourism industry shows mounting interest in Yeosu Expo Outbound travel agencies in Malaysia, where the “Korea Wave,” or hallyu, is all the rage, visited Yeosu to devise ideas for tour packages for Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea. More than 10 leading Malaysian travel agencies, such as Golden Tourworld Travel and Nan Fang Holidays, visited the Yeosu Expo Promotion Center on July 1. They expressed exceptional interest in the Expo after watching promotional videos and looking around the exhibition facilities. Liew Khai Win, Director of Asia Cathay Travel, said, “The increasing popularity of hallyu singers is boosting Malaysians’ interest in Korean culture and trips to Korea.” He added, “Yeosu Expo in combination with Yeosu’s abundant tourism resources, such as the national marine park and traditional Korean cuisine, will provide an excellent tour package platform.” Malaysia is one of the countries for which much effort has been devoted to encourage taking part in the Expo and the nation confirmed its participation on May 26.
Representatives of Malaysian travel agencies at the Yeosu Expo Promotion Center
Seol Mun-sik, Director General for Marketing of the Organizing Committee, said, “To meet the goal of attracting 550,000 visitors from overseas, we will continue our marketing campaigns. This includes inviting representatives of overseas tourism industries for tour around Yeosu, along with promotion tours in major cities in Japan, China, and Southeast Asian countries.”
Expo Preview Yeosu Expo by the numbers 0
Korea Pavilion is an environmentally-friendly building designed to result in net-zero (0) carbon emissions. The building will use solar heat, sea water heat and other renewable energy sources for its operation.
10
Number of major unique structures. They consist of the International Pavilion (A, B, C, D, E), International Organizations Pavilion, Local Governments Pavilion and Corporate Pavilion. Theme Pavilion, Korea Pavilion, and the Sub-theme Pavilions (Marine Life Pavilion, Climate & Environment Pavilion, Marine Civilization & City Pavilion, Marine Industry & Technology Pavilion) are also among them.
60 %
Progress of construction for the Expo site. The construction of all pavilions will be completed later this year.
80
Number of keys in Sky Tower’s pipe organ. The Sky Tower used to be a cement storage building, but it was later remodeled into a giant pipe organ. One can watch the desalination process for sea water inside the building. The pipe organ there is an extraordinary instrument and visitors have the chance to play it.
93 days
Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is held from May 12 to August 12, 2012. The Expo lasts for 93 days, longer than the 16-day Olympic Games and the one-month-long FIFA World Cup.
5 August 2011
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
100 countries The target number of participating
countries. Countries from the five oceans and six continents of the world are expected to take part in the Expo. So far 99 countries have expressed their intent to join the global event, and it is a matter of time before the target of attracting 100 countries is met.
33,000 won
Admission fee to Yeosu Expo. Reservations for admission tickets started in late June. A 15 percent discount will be offered to those purchasing tickets by late August. By the end of this year, a 10 percent discount will be available. Tickets can be purchased through the Expo’s website.
8,000,000 people I n c l u d i n g 5 5 0 , 0 0 0 f o r e i g n
visitors, about 8 million people are expected to come to Yeosu Expo
from spring through summer next year. On average, 130,000 people will visit the pavilions every day.
10 million dollars E x p o 2 0 1 2 Ye o s u Ko r e a i s
concerned about challenges to humanity. It will issue the Yeosu Declaration to urge the international community to take initiative in resolving marine-related issues. Also, the Yeosu Project has been launched to strengthen developing countries’ capacities to deal with such issues. The Korean government contributed 10 million US dollars to the project.
6,030 tons The volume of water held by Yeosu Expo’s Aquarium. The aquarium will be the nation’s largest when it opens next year.
Expo Photo
Expo SNS Supporters tour the nation on bicycles to promote Yeosu Expo.
With the opening of Yeosu Expo 300 days away, 300 elementary school students have created an invitation conveyed to the world.
“I will visit Yeosu Expo for sure!” Foreign tourists enjoying a mud festival in Boryung pose for a picture at a promotion booth.
Wall painting is everywhere along Goso-dong Alley in Yeosu.
6 August 2011
http://eng.expo2012.or.kr
Special Contribution Cho, Yun-gu
Director for Tourism & Accommodation
Tour of Korea’s southern coast and Yeosu Expo The straight-line distance of Korea’s southern coast is a mere 200 kilometers but its coastline extends 8,500 kilometers. With its azure ocean dotted with about 2,000 islands, the Rias coast provides an unmatched beauty. It is also located in the mid-point of Korea, China and Japan so that it has been seen as a treasure trove for the historical and cultural legacies of the maritime activities of the three Northeast Asian countries. These include the historical legacy of Chang Po-go, who once dominated the whole East Asian ocean 1,200 years ago, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, a great hero in the world naval history. As such, the southern coast offers not only eco-tourism opportunities but also unique historical and cultural tourist attractions. Yeosu Expo, which is expected to attract about 8 million visitors, will appeal to public as an international maritime tourist spot.
ranging from Busan to Mokpo, as the hub of the nation’s maritime leisure and tourism industry, it recently announced the blueprint for co-development of Busan, South Gyeongsang Province and South Jeolla Province. A joint project by the municipal governments of these three areas is being pursued to develop the southern coast. The Organizing Committee of Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea is also making efforts to guarantee a pleasant and safe experience for visitors. It has designated a total of 771 restaurants, lodging and shopping facilities in 16 municipalities for Expo travelers. In addition, it plans to designate more than 350 facilities in 2011, with more luxury hotels in Busan, Gwangju, Mokpo and other areas to be included.
Transportation Korea Train Express (KTX) will begin its operation between Yongsan Station (Seoul) and Yeosu Station in October, 2011. By KTX, it will take just over 3 hours to go from Seoul to Yeosu.
SEOUL
* Visitors using Incheon and Gimpo Internaitonal Airports can reach Yongsan Station by the Korail Airport Railroad, subway line 5, or airport limousine.
INCHEON
JEONJU IKSAN
The newly built national highway
GWANGJU
In the past, it took more than 5 hours by train or car from Seoul to Yeosu, but this travel time is expected to fall to 3 hours in 2012. And, from Busan, travel time will be the 2-hour range. Yeosu did not have any major luxury hotels but many lodging facilities are currently being built. Inside the Expo site, a 310-room premium hotel is under construction and hotels and condominiums that will offer about 5,300 rooms are also being built in and around Yeosu. Even after the Expo, the multimedia show, Theme Pavilion, Korea Pavilion, Expo Digital Gallery, Ferry/Cruise Terminal and other facilities and cultural content will be kept as major cultural tourist attractions. As the Korean central government is pushing to develop the whole of the southern coast
Themed on “The Living Ocean and Coast,” Yeosu Expo, the global festival, will provide visitors with chances for many from around the world to see and learn much about the seas of the present and the future. Yeosu Expo visitors will also be able to fully experience Korea’s south coastal region that boasts scenic beauty, traditional culture, very rich history and great food.
FAQ
INCHEON
In fact, Korea’s southern region was deemed to have an insufficient tourism infrastructure, such as transportation and lodging facilities, despite its great natural endowments. But significant progress has been made since Yeosu was selected as the venue of the International Exposition 2012.
The Organizing Committee has also developed 50 tour packages that will help people fully enjoy the southern coast by linking tourist attractions to Yeosu Expo. Information on the packages is available on its website. The Expo website not only provides tour information but also helps people plan their own trip schedules and make reservations for lodging online. The service will be available in English from September 2011.
MUAN
GIMHAE
SACHEON BUSAN
SUNCHEON
GWANYANG
YEOSU
There are 29 daily services from Express Bus Terminal in Gangnam, Seoul to Yeosu. The bus ride from Express Bus Terminal (Central City Station) to Yeosu Bus Terminal takes about 4 hours.
MOKPO KTX
The national highway
The costal cruise
Getting to Yeosu by Public Transportation
Overseas visitors can land at the international airports in Incheon, Gimpo, Gimhae and Muan which are within one-hour’s flight distance from Yeosu. It takes about 55 minutes from Gimpo Airport (Seoul) to Yeosu Airport and the regular flights run 8 times a day. * Railway service between Incheon International Airport and Gimpo Airport operates 89 times daily (12 minutes intervals, 33 minutes of train time).
A Cruise/Ferry Terminal for international cruise ships and coastal liners will be established within the Expo site and will provide direct routes by sea from Hukuoka, Japan, and Shanghai, China.
Park and Ride System
In efforts to prevent traffic congestion around the Expo site, 6 transit parking lots (4 in Yeosu, 1 in Suncheon, and 1 in Gwang-yang) will be established nearby the Expo site by March 2012 for visitors coming to the Expo site by car. Free shuttle buses will be operated to and from the Expo site for the convenience of visitors.