Gyeongbuk Province and Gyeongju City are preparing accommodation facilities, including Presidential Rooms (PRS) for APEC member state leaders, to the highest domestic standards for the successful hosting of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit on July 16, 2025.
The APEC Preparation Support Team conducted an on-site, customized global VIP training session on July 15, targeting staff of official APEC accommodations in Gyeongju. The training was organized by the Korea Concierge Association to ensure the creation of flawless accommodation facilities and to improve service quality, both of which are essential for the successful hosting of the summit.
Prime Minister Minseok Kim (center) made an urgent visit to Gyeongju and is inspecting the APEC summit accommodation together with Hakhong Kim, Deputy Governor of Gyeongbuk Province (right).
The Korea Concierge Association has developed on-site, practical training content for official APEC accommodations in the Gyeongju area. This includes customer service manuals and protocol services, emergency crisis response, basic multilingual response skills, and sharing of key international conference schedules and updates. The association plans to invite experts in each field and conduct training at least once a month to strengthen practical capabilities.
The 2025 APEC Summit is expected to attract a total of around 20,000 participants, including leaders and delegations from 21 member economies, businesspeople, and journalists. It is estimated that up to 7,700 rooms will be needed per day.
In particular, this summit is expected to be attended by leaders from 21 member economies, leaders from several invited countries, and global CEOs. To dispel concerns about a potential shortage of presidential rooms, 35 PRS rooms have been prepared and a sufficient number of rooms have been secured for participants. Going forward, the APEC Preparation Support Team and accommodation facility officials are prioritizing the enhancement of high-quality service and are working together to achieve this goal.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Minseok Kim made a surprise visit to Gyeongju on this day to encourage accommodation facility staff during his inspection of APEC infrastructure preparations.
Prime Minister Minseok Kim said, "Following the first on-site inspection last week, I have come down again today to check the accommodations. Although it may be busier and more challenging than usual, I ask each and every one of you to take pride in your work, thinking of yourselves as diplomats representing Korea, and to do your best on site."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
