Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
"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".
Yeosu ready to welcome expo guests
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.
Yeosu, offers more than expo
When thinking of Yeosu, the song immediately comes to mind, especially for young people. The song “Nightscape at Yeosu Seashore”, recently released by Busker Busker, has attracted many visitors, boosting tourism there and helping to promote the 2012 Yeosu Expo.
The nightscape along Yeosu beach is impressive to many.
It takes about three hours from Seoul’s Yongsan Station to Yeosu Expo Station by KTX. Those visiting the Yeosu Expo may easily view the ocean from the Expo site.
About 30,000 people traveled through Yeosu Expo Station located near the Expo site in Yeosu city, South Jeolla Province, since the end of last month when the album was released, according to the station authorities. It marks an increase by 10,000 from the same period last year.
Scenic places in Yeosu
There are 10 main scenic places around Yeosu, designated by the city. Out of the 10, however, there are two must-see sights. These are Dolsan Bridge and Odong-do or Odong Island. Dolsan Bridge connects Yeosu with Dolsan Island. It can be best viewed from Dolsan Park.
The bridge is most beautiful at night when the 50 different colors of lights decorate the bridge. After crossing the bridge, take a stroll along the trails around Dolsan Park. The walkway provides a full view of Yeosu city and may refresh your mind too.
If you have enough time, visit Odong Island located right next to the expo site. To visit the island, you must walk across the breakwater that connects the mainland to the island. The breakwater that leads to the island is a romantic pathway that is also one of the 100 most beautiful walkways in Korea. For more information, visit http://www.odongdo.go.kr/en/.
Accomodation
Expo Camp Town
Expo Camp Town will provide lodging for about 1,661 Korean and overseas visitors. The site will be available for stay starting from May 1. There are 35 units for caravans, 250 tents, and 40 units for auto-camping. For more information, visit http://www.2012expo-camptown.com/.
A diverse selection of accommodations, such as hanok (traditional Korean houses), temple stay, bed & breakfast in farms and fishing villages and mobile cabin homes, will also be available for international visitors.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
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