| Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa, third from right, and Aeromexico Korea Director Shin Yong-jin, left, pose with winners of the 2nd University Photo Contest: Mexico, A World of its Own during an award ceremony at the Embassy of Mexico in Korea, Sept. 10. / Embassy of Mexico |
By Yi Whan-woo
Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa last week congratulated winners of the 2nd University Photo Contest: Mexico, A World of its Own, jointly organized by the embassy, Aeromexico Korea, Hard Rock Hotel Cancun and The Korea Times.
Ambassador Figueroa noted the annual travel photo contest adds to Mexico's campaign to draw Korean tourists, whose numbers are anticipated to surpass a record 100,000 this year.
The embassy initiated the contest last year on university campuses as part of efforts to promote Mexico as the world's sixth most-visited country.
The eligible applicants were university students and faculty members, with each contestant allowed to submit up to three photos.
The organizers received more than 100 photos from 40 applicants.
The prize-winning photos are on exhibition at the embassy through Oct. 4.
"The 2nd University Photo Contest and this exhibition come precisely to offer a platform to learn and disseminate the experiences of Korean visitors, and at the same time to promote the consolidation and spread of educational exchanges between our countries," the ambassador said during an award ceremony at the embassy in Jongno-gu, central Seoul, Sept. 10.
He assessed the outcome of the 2019 edition as "very positive," pointing out more than 100 photos were submitted for two straight years.
The ambassador also noted the entries were "of great quality and content, as well as extraordinary stories in which Korean students and teachers shared with us their views on the cultural and natural wealth of Mexico, the special warmth of Mexicans and the great friendship between our countries."
"I hope that, with your support, we will continue to increase the cooperation and friendship that exists between our countries," Figueroa added.
The grand prize went to Park Gee-hyoun, who took an underwater shot of a whale shark off the coast of Cancun, a city known for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
He won a return Aeromexico flight ticket between Seoul and Cancun, and also a five-night stay at The Hard Rock Hotel Cancun.
Mexico received more than 40 million international tourists last year making it the world's sixth most-visited country.