........
IDE-Asia
Delegates Experience Culture, Cuisine from Korea to
France "Attendees at this year's IDE-Asia will be
treated to unparalleled entertainment and cuisine
that will give them real insight into Korean
culture that they in turn can take back and share
with their clients," said ASTA President and CEO
Cheryl Hudak, CTC. "Additionally, guests will have
a chance to experience a bit of French cuisine,
courtesy of next year's IDE-Europe hosts, at the
closing gala." On Sunday March 25, guests will be feted at a
welcome dinner, courtesy of the Korea Tourism
Organization and Jeju Special Self-Governing
Province. This welcome event will be a once in a
lifetime opportunity for participants to experience
traditional Korean performances, delicious food and
the great hospitality of Korea. "All of us at the Korea Tourism Organization are
extremely delighted to have the opportunity to host
the welcoming dinner for you. This special event,
titled 'A Sparkling Night in Jeju,' presents you
with the thrill and energy of an entirely new Asian
experience. We look forward to your visit and
introducing you to Korea's unique and dynamic
culture, its pristine nature and its sparkling
service," said Jong Min Kim, president, Korea
Tourism Organization Tae Hwan Kim, Governor, Jeju Special
Self-Governing Province, said: "I am very pleased
to invite you to Jeju, one of Korea's most
beautiful islands. We, along with the KTO, have
prepared a very special dinner for you that will
feature very unforgettable performances. These
performances will, without a doubt, give you a
better understanding of Korean culture and its
aesthetic traditions." Attendees of the event will be treated to
performances by the Jeju Provincial Art Troupe,
whose Korean traditional-style dances draw from the
various aspects of Jeju Island's local culture. For
more than 17 years, the troupe has performed
throughout the world for numerous dignitaries. The following night, Se Hoon Oh, mayor of the
Seoul Metropolitan Government, invites delegates to
experience an "evening gala in Seoul," through a
series of dynamic performances meant to spotlight
this cosmopolitan city. Diners will be treated to a performance by the
Chongdong Theater Cultural Performers, who will put
on the "Korean Traditional Stage," which earned the
Grand Prize from the Korea National Tourism
Organization in 1999. This performance showcases to
audiences the four genres of traditional Korean
performing arts&endash;traditional dance, Pung-Mul,
So-Ri and musical instrument performance. It has
been repeatedly selected as one of the top 10
things to do in Seoul. Also on the stage will be a non-verbal
performance by Nanta, a comedic show which blends
unique Korean rhythms with elements of cooking. Finally, as the 2007 IDE-Asia comes to a close,
Lyon, France&emdash;host of ASTA's 2008
International Destination Expo-Europe&emdash;will
hold a farewell gala where attendees will enjoy a
memorable evening, featuring French cuisine and a
wine tasting from the Beaujolais region. On this
evening, the Lyon Tourist Office will present the
city and its very diverse Rhone-Alps
region.// Go to
www.astanet.com/conference/ide07/index.asp or
contact ASTA's Meetings Department at
meetings@astahq.com to learn more about ASTA's
IDE-Asia. ASTA's (American Society of Travel Agents)
mission is to facilitate the business of selling
travel through effective representation, shared
knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism.
ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is
profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work,
invest and do business. Media Contact Kristina Rundquist Vice President, Communications ASTA, 1101 King St., Ste. 200, Alexandria, VA
22314 Tel +1.703.739.8711
ASSOCIATIONS
ATA
Partners:
AFRAA
ASTA
ARTA
CCA
CTO
IIPT
SATH
TIES
USTOA
WTO
Alexandria,
Va.. Attendees will have the chance to experience
three elegant sit-down dining and entertainment
events during the course of ASTA's International
Destination Expo-Asia (IDE) in Jeju, Republic of
Korea, March 25-29, 2007, showcasing the cuisine
and culture of two IDE host cities&emdash;Jeju and
Lyon.
