A Korean who has helped grow tourism from here to Spain is to be honored with a decoration this week.

Chung Tae-wan helped to increase the number of Koreans visiting the European country over the last 17 years from 2,000 to 80,000 annual visitors.

He is to be conferred on Tuesday with the Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica for developing friendship and economic relations between the two countries.

The Korean representative of the National Office of Tourism of Spain and Air Europa from 2002 to 2008 is to be awarded the decoration by Spanish ambassador to Korea Luis Arias Romero at the envoy’s residence in Seoul.

Chung, who is a graduate in business administration from Sungkyunkwan University, has been a representative in Korea for Turespana, IBERIA and the Exports Institute of Valencia during his 30-year professional relationship with Spain.

“Mr. Chung has played a major role particularly in the tourism sector and in promoting enormously the number of Koreans visiting Spain,” said Jorge Mijangos Blanco, head of cultural affairs at the Spanish Embassy in Seoul.

“Spain believes that tourism as well as economic activity is a tool of utmost importance for cultural dialogue and relations between countries.”

The royally conferred Encomienda de la Orden de Isabel la Catolica is one of the highest honors bestowed upon people who have helped to promote Spanish culture.