Daegu is busy grooming itself now 2011 has been designated “Visit Daegu Korea Year” by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Inspired by the “Visit Korea Year” project that started in advance of the 2002 World Cup, the selection of specific areas of Korea to launch a variety of tourism projects has helped bolster local tourism industries since 2004.

Now Daegu, Korea’s fourth-largest city known as the center of the textile industry, a major manufacturing region and home to numerous cultural sites, has been put in the spotlight following Gwangju this year and Incheon in 2009.

The city government says the W2 billion (US$1=W1,330) project will be used to develop tourism-related products for Daegu including mascots and emblems, promotional goods and devising tour programs and infrastructure.

The year coincides with Daegu’s hosting of the 2011 World Athletics Championships.

Source:Chosun Ilbo