Tourism and Business opportunities between South Korea and South Africa

Ambassador Chull-joo Park and Percy Koji (standing centre) and Judi Nwokedi (seated centre) pictured with members of STEA and the embassy

15 November 2021

Percy Morapedi Koji, CEO of Small Tourism Enterprise Association (STEA) recently organized a meeting between STEA members and Mr Chull-joo Park, Ambassador of South Korea to South Africa. The aim of the engagement was to collaborate and to share opportunities between South Africa and South Korea and to increase tourism both ways.

Sang Min Lee, Director of Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) London Office as well as Ruby James, also from KTO London Office joined in the discussion remotely and gave insights into tourism in South Korea. Judi Nwokedi, COO of Tourvest and Koji, CEO of Travel with Confidence in turn highlighted tourism opportunities from a Southern African perspective.

One of the sectors most negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant shut-downs world-wide is the tourism industry. "We want to help stimulate inclusive economic growth within tourism by giving small and micro businesses a voice, while, at the same time, facilitating equitable access to opportunities and resources in a sustainable way, which will in turn lead to job creation," said Koji on the recent establishment of STEA.

The Diplomatic Society Travel Specialist, Thabiso Magodielo (pictured left with Ambassador Park) said that this was a fruitful engagement where he got to know about South Korean arts, culture and music, and the variety of activities on offer in South Korea.

He was also excited to learn about the tourism and business opportunities available.

Going forward, a fact finding business and tourism trip is on the cards for next year, 2022

TDS