WAILUKU – The county Office of Economic Development will hold a business workshop, “On the Horizon: Visitors from Korea,” being held in partnership with Maui Visitors Bureau.

Designed for local businesses of all sizes, the free workshop will be held on Monday, Oct. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Maui’s Ballroom in Kaanapali.

Reservations are required. For more information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/OED (under “Quick Links” on the right) or e-mail roxanne@mauivb.com. The deadline to register is Oct. 4.

Speakers and panelists include Chanho Hong, president and chief operating officer of GSA Korea of Hawaiian Airlines; Kim Chin Sol, international coordinator, Goyang Policy Planning Division; and Emily Kim, marketing director for Hawaii Tourism Korea.

Topics will include understanding Korean visitors, language barriers, what Korean visitors want from a Hawaii vacation, Korean market travel trends, how Maui can attract more Korean visitors, Maui’s strengths and weaknesses within this market, and “is your company Korea ready?”

The first ten companies to reply may also request a free, onsite consultation with Kim Chin Sol to discuss ways to welcome Korean guests successfully.

“We have been actively pursuing the Korean tourism market as a means of strengthening our economic base,” said Mayor Alan Arakawa.

“Arrivals from South Korea have begun to increase dramatically, and it will be critical that local businesses are prepared to greet these visitors in ways that will make them welcome. We want them to feel at home on Maui and to return for future visits.”