By Lee Hyo-sik

The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) said Tuesday that it will invite the heads of six major tourism agencies in Japan in order to promote the culture and history of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18BC-660 AD)and attract more Japanese tourists to the southwestern part of the country.

From Sept. 17 through 19, CEOs of JTB, KNT and four other large tourism agencies through which more than 50 percent of Japan's outbound travelers go overseas will tour Buyeo and Gongju, the ancient capital cities of the kingdom, in South Chungcheong Province.

The Kingdom was the most active in exchanging culture and ideas with Japan during the period of the three kingdoms on the Korean Peninsula.

Among the many activities scheduled, the CEOs will visit the "Global Baejae Festival 2010," which will open its door to visitors on Sept. 18, as well as the newly opened Baekje Cultural Center, to gauge how well the tourism package centering on the ancient kingdom is marketable to Japanese tourists. The KTO has already been advertising a range of tour products highlighting Baekje's cultural sites and attractions in Japan.

"Through this event, we will promote the cultural heritage of the Baekje Kingdom to Japan's opinion leaders in the tourism sector. If successful, it will help us reach this year's target of 3.2 million Japanese tourists," a KTO official Jeong Keun-hee said.

Jeong also said the majority of Japanese visitors tour Seoul and its surrounding areas, largely focusing on shopping for luxury goods and dining on traditional Korean food. "But the upcoming invitation will encourage more Japanese and other foreign tourists to visit South Chungcheong Province and other local municipalities."

Additionally, the invited CEOs will tour the many attractions in Seoul and its adjacent areas, and exchange opinions with their Korean counterparts.

President Lee Myung-bak will also attend a meeting with them. Tagawa Hiromi, president of JTB, the largest tour agency in Japan, will be awarded with a presidential medal for his role in boosting the number Japanese visitors to Korea.