By Rachel Lee



Korea is a market full of potential for Portugal's tourism, with a 30 percent increase every year, the country's tourism vice minister Ana Godinho Mendes said.



Mendes, who was in Seoul for the first time early this month, brought 13 tourism companies and organizations to "showcase Portugal as a place to visit, to invest, to study and to live," she told The Korea Times.



"With Portugal the third-most peaceful country in the world, sharing with Spain the Iberian Peninsula, with a strategic geo-location in the westernmost part of Europe (Cabo da Roca) and with the best economic growth in the European Union, we presented arguments that South Korean companies cannot miss _ political stability, strong history, an entrepreneurship culture and innovation in key areas," Mendes said.



"It is our conviction that in the next few years the economic relation between the two countries will increase significantly."



Despite no direct flights between the two nations, the number of Korean travelers to Portugal has gone up over past years _ up 30 percent a year. This year, the number is expected to reach 140,000, with 200,000 bed nights, according to Portugal's tourism ministry.



"If Portugal discovered Asia by sea in the 15th century, being the first to draw a map of ancient Korea and to introduce pepper to Korean food, I think Asia and South Korea are discovering Portugal now," Mendes said. "The history and ties we have built since then are strong and South Koreans that have already visited our country will say that _ they were welcome in Portugal like no other country in the world."



Religious tourism is one of the main reasons people visit the European country, the vice minister said.



Fatima, Portugal's spiritual center, had more than 6 million visitors last year. Cities including Braga, Porto and Lisbon are also important religious tourism spots.



Korea is one of the most important external markets for religious tourism in Portugal, Mendes said.



"With approximately 5 million Catholics in Korea, we think that this motivation _ combined with others like culture, history, sightseeing, shopping and golf _ can make Portugal one of the most relevant destinations for Koreans in Europe," she said.



Portugal also boasts many other attractions, including 21 UNESCO heritage sites and diverse landscapes.



"In our country the sun sets in the Atlantic Ocean, you can cross Portugal from north to south by bicycle and you are near the coast," Mendes said.



"In 2016 Portugal received more than 500 international awards, from Europe's best city destination to world's best golf destination, and these prizes reflect the pride and effort the Portuguese people put into their work, into their creations. So, I can only ask South Koreans _ let us welcome and surprise you in 2018."



