High-flying business travellers have chosen our capital city, Seoul... has the best place for international gatherings... thanks to the city's increasing its efforts to attract global conventions and exhibitions over the past decade.
Our Oh Soo-young reports.
Seoul has been named the best city in the world to hold meetings, conferences and exhibitions for the fourth consecutive year.
Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday that the city topped travel magazine Global Traveler's annual rankings which are based on a survey of 105-thousand frequent business travelers and high-income subscribers.
Dubai came in second place, followed by Singapore, London and Hong Kong.
Seoul first claimed the top spot in 2013,... before losing out to Singapore the following year.
But since 2015,... South Korea's capital city has remained the most attractive destination for business gatherings and exhibitions.
City officials say Seoul's popularity is largely down to the convenience of its accommodation, transportation and conference facilities,... as well as its high tech infrastructure.
The MICE industry has been one of South Korea's key growth sectors since 2009 when the central government officially identified the sector as one of its 17 "New Growth Engine Industries."
Among the scores of large-scale global conferences held in the Korean capital,... major milestones include the G20 Seoul Summit in 2010,... and two nuclear security summits.
Seoul also recently won awards for its medical tourism programs at Medical Asia 2018,... and was recognized for its innovative travel apps and high-profile marketing initiatives,... with boyband BTS being named ambassadors of the year for their Seoul promotion campaign.
Seoul City says it will continue making efforts to enhance its brand as a stellar destination for tourism and international conventions.
Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.
