The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST), the Korea Tourism Organization (Acting President SHIN Sang-yong, KTO), and the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute (President KIM Dae Kwan, KCTI) host "Korea Week" in Madrid and Santiago (Spain) from July 8 (Fri) to 14 (Thur). Minister PARK pays visit to Spain and discusses ways to cooperate in tourism between Korea and Spain. This Ministerial visit was prepared as a follow-up from October 2019, when King Felipe VI made a state visit to Korea. The two nations designated the year 2020-2021 as the year of mutual visits and Korea and Spain agreed to extend one year of this mutual exchange in June last year.

  To begin the “Korea Week”, Korean culture and tourism event was held with local Spanish consumers under the theme of My Korea: Hidden Gems on July 8 (Fri) and 9 (Sat). During the event, visitors were able to experience traditional culture, including handicrafts and calligraphy in Hangeul (Korean alphabet). Also, Spanish travel agencies introduced Korean tourism products, and a photo exhibition of Korean tourism, showing Korea's four seasons and traditional architecture. Also, Taekwondo and K-pop cover dance were performed. Visitors were able to experience Korean cuisine, such as healthy Jujeonburi (snacks) and three color tea made with local specialties in Korea.

  On July 11 (Mon), the Korea-Spain Tourism Forum will be held under the theme of smart tourism, an area of interest in both countries. Minister PARK from MCST will deliver opening remarks and the Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade, and Tourism, Fernando Valdes Verelst, will address welcoming speech, followed by experts from both countries on sharing experiences and know-how of smart tourism cities and smart tourism ventures. After the forum on Monday, there will be a Gala Dinner, the main event of “Korea Week”, where a Hanbok fashion show, a performance by the National Gugak Center, and a Spanish-style dinner cooking with Korean ingredients will shine the dinner.

  On July 12 (Tue), there will be a ceremony of unveiling the installation symbol of Jeju Olle Trail on the Santiago Pilgrimage. Marking the mutual visit year, the two nations created a joint symbol section on the Santiago Pilgrimage and Jeju Olle Trail. “Dolhareubang,” a symbol of Jeju Olle Trail, is installed in Monte do Gozo, the last gateway to the Santiago pilgrimage.

  With the high expectations on the resumption of the direct flights between the two countries, this year's “Korea Week” is expected to serve as an important opportunity to reignite tourism exchanges between the two countries after the Pandemic and to target the European and Latin American tourism markets.