Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo (left) and Spain's Queen Letizia (center) on Jan. 22 pose for a picture with traditional Korean dancers at FITUR, an international tourism trade fair in Madrid.
By Lee Hana
Photos = Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism
Korea was a partner country at this year's FITUR, an international tourism trade fair in Madrid, to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Spain.
The Korean booth had the theme "Tradition Meets Modernity" and was decorated with red and blue ramie cloth with an entranceway filled with media art showcasing Korean culture.
Korea also drew the attention of major Spanish media. El Pais, one of Spain's biggest dailies, reported on Jan. 23 in the article "FITUR, a world of 10 pavilions" that "the Korea booth introduces Hallyu, the phenomenon also known as the Korean Wave that saw the steady increase in global popularity of Korean pop culture."
"Korea is a place where tradition and modernity coexist," the daily said, adding, "The number of tourists visiting Korea has increased significantly in the past few years, with 15,300,000 tourists having visited Korea in 2018 (including 27,314 from Spain), a 17.2% increase compared to figures from 2017."
On Jan. 22, when Spain's Queen Letizia visited the Korea booth to watch a royal court dance from the Joseon Dynasty era, Hola.com, an online media outlet, posted the article "Queen Letizia gives friendly greeting to partner country."
"Queen Letizia was at the Korean booth wearing the same dress she wore when she made a state visit to Korea to show her familiarity with the East Asian country," the article said, adding that she was "welcomed to the booth by dancers in traditional costumes."
The Spanish daily ABC on Jan. 24 features Korean culture in a two-page spread that also includes an interview with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo was interviewed by the Spanish daily ABC in an article published on Jan. 24.
Titled "Korea's plan to dominate global culture," the minister was quoted as saying, "Cultural industries related to Hallyu are valued at USD 110,000 per annum, and its impact ripples into the beauty, food and electronic appliance markets. Hallyu also boosts our national and diplomatic image."
"As Hallyu spreads globally through various online platforms, I hope that it will give the entire world a chance to enjoy K-pop, Korean dramas and movies as well as traditional Korean culture."
The same day, Europa Press, La Vanguardia and Radio COPE reported that Korea and Spain signed a plan to fuel tourism. At FITUR 2020, Minister Park and Spanish Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism Maria Reyes Maroto signed an agreement to strengthen bilateral tourism cooperation ahead of the "2020-21 Korea-Spain Visit Years."
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo on Jan. 23 gives an interview to an ABC reporter at the Korea booth set up at FITUR, an annual tourism trade fair held in Madrid.