Korea and Japan are expanding their tourism cooperation on the 40th anniversary of their partnership, focusing on local tourism and attracting third-country tourists. The tourism authorities of both countries are also working towards establishing a memorandum of cooperation (MOC) to ensure stable collaboration in the tourism sector.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will host the 40th Korea-Japan Tourism Promotion Council and the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum from September 9 to 10 at Hotel Hyundai by Lahan in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do.
The Korea-Japan Tourism Promotion Council was established in 1986 to enhance tourism exchanges between the two countries. Except for a postponement in 2020 due to COVID-19, the council has alternated meetings between Korea and Japan, marking its 40th anniversary this year.
About 100 participants will attend the meeting, including Kang Jeong-won, Director of the Tourism Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Sasae Ken, Director of the International Tourism Department at the Japan Tourism Agency, along with representatives from central and local governments, tourism-related organizations, and the travel and airline industries.
The main agenda will focus on expanding Korea-Japan tourism exchanges and attracting overseas tourists. The Korean government will introduce its policies for enhancing tourism cooperation and promoting inbound tourism, while the Japanese government will present its policies for encouraging overseas travel and attracting local tourists.
Discussions will also cover regional exchange initiatives. Mokpo City and Wakayama Prefecture in Japan will share their respective local tourism policies and case studies, while the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), Korea Travel Agency Association (KATA), and Japan Travel Agency Association (JATA) will propose ways to enhance tourism exchanges.
In conjunction with the forum, the two countries will pursue the MOC for tourism cooperation. Kang and Sasae are expected to sign an agreement aimed at establishing a stable and sustainable institutional framework for tourism collaboration.
The Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum will discuss strategies for attracting overseas tourists, revitalizing local tourism, and expanding travel between Korea and Japan. Travel agencies, airlines, and academic experts from both countries will share insights on tourism market trends and explore the potential for developing joint tourism products linked to specific regions.
Presenters from Korea will include Lee Jeong-hwan, Team Leader at Lotte JTB, Kwon Jang-wook, Professor at Dongseo University, and Park Jeong-soo, Head of Trinity Airlines. From Japan, Nishio Shinji, Head of ZIPAIR, Yamano Atsushi, Director at H.I.S., and Morito Kanako, Senior Researcher at Jalan, will participate.
After the event, attendees will visit Mokpo's Gungsaengwon, the Modern History and Culture Space, the National Maritime Heritage Research Institute's Maritime Relics Exhibition Hall, and the replica of the Joseon Tongsinsa ship, all significant sites reflecting Korea-Japan private exchanges, modern history, and maritime interactions in East Asia.
Kang Jeong-won stated, "Korea and Japan are each other's most frequent visitors and partners in attracting overseas tourists. Based on the trust built over the past 40 years between the tourism authorities of both countries, we plan to expand tourism exchanges to local and regional levels and identify sustainable future cooperation projects."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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