The16 strong delegation, led by Mr Chung Dong Chea, Minister for Tourism and Culture, and also including Mr Jong Min Kim, President of Korea National Tourism Org (KNTO) and H E Lee Joon Jae, Ambassador of Korea in UAE, visited the Nakheel’s sales office this morning (18th June). The group were treated to a tour of the sales office, and a theatre presentation about Nakheel’s developments such as the Palm, The World and Dubai Waterfront.

The delegation was visiting Dubai to see the city’s mega projects and how Dubai had stimulated growth in the tourism sector. Mr Chung Dong Chea, Minister for Tourism and Culture said “Dubai and Korea are undergoing rapid growth as tourist destinations. Both destinations provide a wonderful mix of ultra-modern facilities with a strong cultural heritage. Nakheel’s projects have received global coverage, helping put Dubai on the world stage, and it’s great to be able to see the projects close-up; the projects are very impressive.”

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Nakheel Executive Chairman said, “Economic ties between Korea and Dubai are already strong, and there is great potential for growth in two-way tourism between the countries. We are delighted that Mr Chung Dong Chea and the delegation from the Ministry for Tourism and Culture took time from their busy schedules to visit the Nakheel Sales Office to see Nakheel’s projects such as the Palm and the World to name a few. This again illustrates the fact that internationally Dubai is being seen as a beacon in terms of tourist development - and Nakheel’s iconic projects are a fundamental part of that.”

Korea is one of Dubai’s top ten trading partners, and the delegation’s visit follows a variety of recent initiatives to strengthen ties between the two countries, particularly in the tourism industry: including the opening of the Korean National Tourism Organization (KNTO) in Dubai in 2004 and the official opening in Seoul of the new daily non-stop service Dubai-Seoul route on May 1 2005 by Emirates Group Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.  Dubai and Korea currently enjoy a similar share of the tourist market; both destinations received just under 6 million visitors in 2004.
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