A Comparison of the Image of Korea as Perceived by Foreign Tourists Before and After the International Trade Show - The Case of 2005 Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show -

This research empirically examined changes in the images of Korea over three points in time among Japanese, Chinese, and U.S. visitors to South Korea. Between March 14 and May 31, 2005, about two to three months after the 2005 Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show ended, 153 tourists from America, 129 from China, and 156 from the Japan completed the survey instrument. The results from a General Linear Model (GLM) with repeated measures showed that tourists from all three countries had more positive images after the Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show than before it. It was concluded that the 2005 Seoul International Sports & Leisure Industry Show appeared to have a significant positive effect in enhancing the image of South Korea. The study suggests that an internationally significant trade Show can change the image of a tourism destination in a short time period.