Egypt wants to raise its profile

Egypt wants the world to know that there is more than pyramids to see in the cradle of human civilization. “We want to shed light on new attractions,” said Amr Helmy, Egyptian Ambassador to Korea, in an interview with the JoongAng Daily. Attracting tourists ―and investors ―to Egypt is the purpose behind the first-ever Egypt Week in Korea, being held June 22 to 25.
Recently, tourist brochures about Egypt have been printed in Korean for distribution at tourist agencies. According to Mr. Helmy, Koreans are “not aware of other attractions we have, religious attractions in particular.” The route the Holy Family is said to have taken through Egypt after they fled Christ’s birthplace is now being re-paved in an effort to revive religious landmarks in Egypt. Of particular interest, Mr. Helmy said, is Saint Catherine's Monastery beneath Mount Sinai, which houses the second-biggest Christian library in the world.
Historical tourists to Egypt can enjoy leisure activities as well, said Mr. Helmy. In addition to the Red Sea, perhaps the most famous diving destination in the world, Mr. Helmy said, “we want to make sure that when [Koreans] go, they have an opportunity to play golf.”
The general public is invited to learn more about tourism opportunities, as well as import and investment opportunities, at the Egyptian Trade Fair at the COEX mall starting from June 22.
A major event scheduled for the week is an economic seminar, at which Mohamed El Ghamrawi, president of the Egyptian investment authority and head of a high-level economic and cultural delegation visiting from Egypt, will address Korean businessmen on investment opportunities in the oil and natural gas sector in Egypt. Korean companies already invest $186 million in Egypt.
The week will conclude with a tourist-oriented gala at the Hyatt Hotel on June 25 featuring Egyptian cuisine and folk dance. Mr. Helmy said he hopes to dispel “a perception problem about our country.” Although it is located in the volatile Middle East, “Egypt is stable, it is not Iraq,” he said.

CANADA
On June 27, Canadians in Korea are invited to celebrate their nation’s 137th birthday with an outdoor barbecue at the United Nations Compound next to the Capital Hotel in Itaewon. Festivities and entertainment will include a live band, games, face painting, a raffle and surf-n-turf, appropriately accompanied by Molson Canadian beer. Tickets are 42,000 won for adults, 25,000 won for youth and 10,000 for kids, which includes food, two bottles of beer and a raffle ticket. Tickets must be ordered and paid in advance online by June 23 at:
www.ccck.org/social_
canadaday.htm

GERMANY
A delegation of German legislators, headed by Rep. Hartmut Koschyk, asked their South Korean counterparts Thursday to attend a seminar in Berlin on reunification, slated for next year, Yonhap News Agency reported.

by Kirsten Jerch