SEOUL Asian tourism has received a timely boost from the second edition of the Seoul Tourism Awards, held in the South Korean capital in June.

Both Macau and Singapore were big winners at the event with Macau chief executive, Edmund Ho Hau Wah, being named Best Overall Contributor to City Tourism in Asia Pacific.

Singapore was named Best Sightseeing City in Asia Pacific, while Singapore Tourism Board was also recognised for having the Best Website of City Tourism Promotion in Asia Pacific. The Sydney Opera House was named Best City Landmark in Asia Pacific.

Locally, the Best Professional Conference Organiser in Seoul was won by Intercom Convention Services, while Best Overall Contributor to Seoul Tourism was Korean movie director, Yoon Seok-ho.

The Seoul Tourism Awards were established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government last year to highlight Seoul as a viable option for tourism and business events, and to recognise the contributions of individual members and companies in developing Asia Pacific tourism.

Samuel Koo, CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), said: “The Seoul Tourism Awards recognise excellence both in Korea and globally, as well as raising the profile of Seoul as a world-class tourism city.”

STO organises the annual event, which attracted more than 500 attendees to the gala dinner ceremony and two-day seminar. The awards and gala dinner were held at Shilla Seoul’s Yeong Bin Gwan standalone meeting facility. Shilla also won the Best Tourism Service Provider award.

Other award categories included Best Tourist Service Provider, Best Travel Business Promoter, Best Tourist Service Business, Best City Tourism Policy and Promotion, and Best Convention Hosting.