POSTED: September 28th 2011
SpeakingUp
Choi: Accommodations and English will be priorities for PyeongChang 2018
LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications
TAMPA/PYEONGCHANG: Following the first part of our interview with Governor Moon-Soon Choi SportsFeatures.com asked him about the reaction to hosting the IAAF Daegu World Championships and several challenges that arose.
Remarks in the international press noted issues with accommodation, language communications, and Governor Choi tackles these issues head on as the planning starts for PyeongChang 2018.
The Daegu 2011 World Championships has had a sellout crowd in the city and many people have had to go to nearby cities to find accommodations. How can you be sure to have enough accommodations for the PyeongChang Games?
Moon-Soon Choi: PyeongChang’s accommodation plan is being set considering needs of various customer groups as well as the local community demand.
In the bid process, total 25,542 rooms in 4 and 5-star levels (16,472 in 5-stars and 9,097 in 4-stars) and another 5,759 rooms in above 2-star hotels were guaranteed by hotel owners. There are 76,064 rooms within the 50 km radius of the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium, and 24,008 rooms will be added by 2018, making a total of 100,072 rooms.
With close cooperation with the Korea Tourism Association and the National Federation for Hospitality, we will try to set feasible accommodation plans. Also, we will closely monitor the progress of new constructions.
A number of people in the general public noted there were problems with communication in English. What is your plan to ensure that there is a good communication level on all levels?
Moon-Soon Choi: Communication in English is the part that should be given much attention and we will consider the following points to boost our language resources.
1) Strengthen school courses
Communication programs with native-speaker instructors and English dedicated teachers will be implemented
Future volunteers English camps
Olympic and winter sports awareness programs
2) Use local communities to improve communication skills
English education targeting food and beverage services, accommodation, and transport personnel
Yearly operation of a volunteer training program
Resident education for basic communication skills and global standard services
3) Provide communication improvement tools
Personal assistance will be available with real people for residents and foreigners (e.g. phones, applications, etc.)
Comprehensive manual development which can be referred to by situation (e.g. public transportation, tourist destinations, restaurants, etc.)
Studies for a clear flow of accessibility for attendees; and easy signage and guidebook development
There has just been a change in minister for culture, sports and tourism, and how do you feel about the new Minister Choi Kwang-sik?
Moon-Soon Choi: As the former Director of the National Museum of Korea (March 2008 to February 2011) and the Administrator of the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea, and also as a historian, the Minister nominee Kwang-Sik Choi has deep knowledge of culture and art and has abundant hands-on experience.
As the cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, which is the authority in charge of the Olympic Games, is critical for the successful Games, Mr. Choi’s career and knowledge will be a huge benefit for Games preparation.
Gangwon Province and the Ministry will work closely for the smooth preparation of the Olympic Games.
Part II of a two part series.
Eungyeong Choi contributed to this article.
Keywords · PyeongChang 2018 · Moon-Soon Choi · Kwang-Sik Choe
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Laura Walden ()
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