SEOUL, 10 August 2018: Around 2,000 parasitologists from 100 countries are heading to South Korea for the 14th International Congress of Parasitology (ICOPA).
The event will take place in Daegu city 19 to 24 August.
After Japan, Korea is the second country in Asia to host this global event.
The Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (KSPTM) and the World Federation for Parasitologists (WFP) are the organisers of ICOPA 2018.
Its theme “Parasites: Harms and Benefits to Animals & Humans” will discuss pressing issues, and exchange knowledge ranging from parasitic diseases, preventive drugs and vaccines, to recent industry developments.
Korea is tweaking its image as a meetings destination, that delvers a distinctive travel experience for delegates, while promoting Korea tourism and culture through events.
For this particular event, Korea MICE Bureau (KMB) will place digital signboards in Incheon International Airport to welcome delegates. Also, at the special MICE information desk, KMB will greet and assist delegates with their transfer to the host city Daegu.
At the event, delegates can experience several cultural activities such as wearing hanbok (Korean costume) and making buchae (traditional Korean fan).
KMB has prepared eight tour programmes that will take delegates and their accompanying persons to popular tourist attractions including World Heritage sites, industry tours (Samsung Creative Campus Tour, Daegu Textile Complex) and nature parks.
WFP chose Korea as the host city due to its strong background in the field of parasitology.
In 2008, Korea hosted the 17th International Congress for Tropical Medicine and Malaria. Korea is the only country among WFP beneficiaries that has adopted the role of donor in the fight against parasites.
