Gift of a Korean Trip to American Couple Who Rescued Korean Tourists in Heavy Snowfall

Alexander Campagna, Andrea Campagna, and Jae-seok Park, head of the Korea Tourism Organization New York office, along with other KTO staff, are taking a commemorative photo together.
[Photo by Korea Tourism Organization]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] An American couple who rescued Korean tourists stranded by a snowstorm near Buffalo, New York, will receive the gift of a "trip to Korea."

The Korea Tourism Organization announced on the 6th (local time) that the Campagna couple, residents of New York State, will travel to Korea for one week starting May 14 under the organization's invitation.

On December 23 last year, when a bomb cyclone hit northwest New York State, the Campagna couple kindly lent their home for 2 nights and 3 days and spent the Christmas holiday together after Korean tourists in danger of being stranded asked to borrow shovels. As fans of Korean cuisine, their home was stocked with cooking wine, soy sauce, and red pepper powder, leading to an unexpected Korean food party during the holiday. This story was reported domestically and internationally through outlets such as The New York Times (NYT), and afterward, the Campagna couple received the 'Buffalo Blizzard Hero' medal from New York Governor Kathy Hochul.

The Korea Tourism Organization decided on this invitation to Korea as a token of gratitude to the Campagna couple who saved Korean tourists in danger. This event inspired the couple to hope for a trip to Korea, which is now coming true.

During this trip, the Campagna couple plans to meet directly with the nine Korean tourists they rescued and visit major tourist sites. They also plan to experience various Korean cultures such as kimchi and other Korean food cooking classes, and K-beauty.

Park Jaeseok, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's New York office, said, "This invitation is a gesture of gratitude," adding, "We want to convey to the world the image of Korea as a country that never forgets kindness and always repays it."