TOURISM bosses were celebrating a new link with Asia as Glasgow Airport welcomed the first flight from South Korea to Scotland.
The airport secured Scotland’s only direct service from Seoul after flag carrier Korean Air and tour operator Hanjin Travel confirmed earlier this year they would introduce a summer charter service.
Some 200 passengers arrived at the airport on Friday evening - and were welcomed by Glasgow University South Korean student Sung Yeop Kim - or Joey - and wife Se Hee Jang.
The couple volunteered to be a link between airport staff and the city's new visitors in order to translate and assist with the three in-bound services due from Seoul this month.
Joey said: "I really want to share the cultures between people from South Korea and Scotland.
"I like to meet new people and I also want to welcome tourists who are coming from Seoul to Glasgow and help them find their way around.
"I will translate Korean to English if maybe someone needs my help or on the other hand airport workers might need my help to translate from English into Korean."
Joey and Se Hee have been in Glasgow, living near Kelvingrove museum, for two years while he studies for a Masters degree in development studies.
They say tourism in their home country focuses on travel to Edinburgh - so they hope to tell new visitors about the attractions of Glasgow.
Joey added: "Glasgow is a contrast to Seoul, which is a very packed, complex city where everybody moves very fast.
"I have also lived in London and I would say that Glasgow is a much more liveable city, the people are more friendly.
"I am going to tell the tourists to have Scottish food like haggis or a fish supper - and definitely to try some Whisky."
Currently the flight from Seoul, which has a population of 10 million, is in-bound only.
Airport chiefs say setting up air routes can take years but they hope that next year there will be further in-bound flights and a return flight for Scots wishing to visit South Korea.
Amanda McMillan, managing director of Glasgow Airport, said: “Securing the country’s first direct service with South Korea is a significant step both for Glasgow Airport and Scotland’s tourism industry. "We are honoured Korean Air and its sister company Hanjin Travel have chosen Glasgow Airport as their customers’ gateway to Scotland.
“Hanjin Travel has been instrumental in encouraging the growth of South Korea’s outbound tourism market and this service represents an important step in further strengthening Scotland’s ties with Asia.
"We are looking forward to working closely with both Korean Air and Hanjin Travel to further develop their initial charter programme in the years ahead.”
Korean Air and sister company Hanjin Travel will operate three in-bound services this month between Seoul and Glasgow Airport, which will serve as a gateway to more than 1000 South Korean tourists flying to and from Scotland.
Minister for Transport and the Islands Humza Yousaf said: “I’m delighted to welcome the visitors from the inaugural flight of this new exciting service, linking Scotland with South Korea. Scotland offers an absolutely fantastic tourist experience for travellers from around the globe and I hope they enjoy their time here.
“This new flight is the first step in an important new relationship between Glasgow Airport and Korean Air, further strengthening links between Scotland and South East Asia.
“I have no doubt this service will prove popular and I hope both parties will be able to build and expand on its success in the future. I wish Glasgow Airport and Korean Air every success with this venture.”
Hanjin Travel, one of South Korea’s leading travel companies, played a major role in developing the country’s tourism industry.
In recent years, it has been extending its European route network with the launch of similar charter services to Oslo and Marseille. Hanjin Travel has launched the Glasgow Airport service with a view to introducing further flights in 2017.
Today’s inaugural flight was operated by Korean Air using an Airbus A330 aircraft, with two further flights due to arrive on 12 and 19 August respectively.
Oh Sang Kwon, President of Hanjin Travel, said: “As one of South Korea’s leading travel companies we are very proud to introduce the wonderful city of Glasgow and indeed the whole of Scotland to our passengers.
"I am sure the city’s excellent shopping and wonderful architecture, alongside the world-renowned scenery of Scotland, will prove very popular with South Korean travellers."
Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “Securing Korea’s national air carrier and the arrival today of Scotland’s first direct flight from Seoul, which is one of the world’s biggest cities, is a momentous occasion for Glasgow, our airport and the city’s tourism economy.
“Having been named by travel industry bible National Geographic Traveller as one of the 20 best destinations in the world for 2016, this exciting new service will allow visitors from South East Asia to experience Glasgow’s world-renowned welcome and unrivalled tourism offering.
“Moreover, it further strengthens our reputation as Scotland’s long-haul gateway and reinforces our commitment to growing the city’s global connectivity and forging tourism links with emerging markets.”
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