Korea, Sparkling!

My thoughts on the tourism campaign aimed at boosting interest in Korea as a travel destination...

I think that "Korea Sparkling" is completely inaccurate campaign slogan by Korea Tourism Organisation. Korea doesn't sparkle, and neither it should. The awful websites sparkle with photoshopped clear skies and blue oceans but when people actually arrive here they see that Korea glows, subtly, behind the mist. (Or find out that what they thought was 'Dream Bay' is actually a harbour built in aid of a free-trade zone. They may very well have chosen this particular destination, 'Masan, Dream Bay', due to its visual promise of sun, sea and sushi, and be more than a little irate only to find the sushi in abundance. Nevertheless.) And, sadly, they will miss the pride and beauty that is behind that glow because they will primarily feel annoyed at being hoodwinked on the sites and the KTO will have no-one to blame but themselves for people missing out on what Korea truly has to offer....culture, temples, a lush countryside filled with helpful and welcoming people. Not to mention the cuisine. Perhaps they should offer cuisine tours of various regions. Promote packages focusing on well-being tours. Thats all I bloody hear about here. The tea fields, the springs, the healthy diet, people in the west (if thats what they're aiming for) are interested in that. The campaign is all wrong. Vegas sparkles, Korea lives and enlivens.