SOUTH KOREA. The Shilla Duty Free has launched its latest programme to promote South Korea’s traditional markets and assist merchants with the Chinese language. Its second annual Traditional Market Supporter event features 100 Chinese student volunteers who help translate menus, interpret and provide basic Chinese tutoring as the country aims to encourage visitors to come to traditional markets.
The traditional market supporters’ campaign was introduced by The Shilla Duty Free last year. Then, 50 volunteers participated in a range of activities including translation of over 80 store menus, Chinese interpretation and tutoring as well as cleaning services in Tongin Market, one of Korea’s famous traditional markets.
This year’s volunteers will operate in Kwangjang market. The Shilla Duty Free signed a partnership agreement with the Kwangjang Market Merchants Association on 26 February to promote visits by foreign tourists.
Kim, Ki-Joon, President of the Kwangjang Market Merchants Association, said: “The Kwangjang Market consists of approximately 3,000 stores with continuous need for foreign language support, and therefore we are very grateful for the support of The Shilla Duty Free who will be giving us such large scale assistance with 100 volunteers.”
Selected volunteers will participate in activities such as publication and distribution of marketing materials introducing Korea’s traditional markets, foreign language supports including translation of menus and cultural exchange events with other Shilla CSR programmes.
The Shilla Duty Free will divide volunteers into teams by district to assist with menu translation and interpretation services. The translated menus will take the form of a series of designs suited to each store. Volunteers will also host classes to teach merchants basic Chinese language skills.
Volunteers will create special promotional booklets to hand out to foreign tourists who travel to nearby tourist attractions. These promotional booklets will include maps, market business hours, explain traditional foods and feature an overview of the Kwangjang Market in Chinese and English.
In addition, Hotel Shilla high school CSR programme Dream-Makers will host cultural exchange events with volunteers helping students with their Chinese language education.
Speaking on behalf of her fellow volunteer students at the launch event, Park Kyo-ri, a student at Kyung-Hee University, expressed her excitement at taking part in the programme.
The Shilla Duty Free Executive Vice President Kim Tae-ho, who is directing the programme, said: “We hope to provide helpful services to the market merchants. We will continue to cultivate various programmes to assist foreign tourists to enjoy traditional markets.”