The ministry said it plans to strengthen cooperation between central and local governments, saying revitalizing regional tourism is essential to reaching an era of 30 million foreign visitors.
The ministry said it held a meeting of tourism bureau directors from the 17 local governments on the 28th at the Government Complex Sejong, chaired by Kang Jeong-won, director general for tourism policy.
The meeting was convened to discuss how to carry out the “inbound tourism transformation and regional tourism leap” measures drawn up at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Council meeting in February. The ministry said it was the first session aimed at strengthening a central-local communication channel since the council, the top decision-making body for tourism policy, was upgraded under revisions to the Tourism Promotion Act.
◆Local governments seen as key to targeting 30 million inbound visitors
The ministry and local governments agreed that the decisive factor for the inbound tourism overhaul is a leading role by local governments. They said they will work to identify and develop tourism content tailored to each region in line with the government’s push to foster tourism as a national strategic industry.
Officials focused on tasks including making regional airports hubs for inbound tourism, strengthening the lodging industry support system, setting directions for region-specific tourism zones, introducing a performance management system for tourism development projects, developing region-by-region tourism content such as identifying notable destinations in South Korea, and improving visitor readiness by stamping out price gouging.
◆Ministry hears local concerns, pledges “noticeable” tourism gains
The ministry said it heard practical difficulties and pending issues local governments face in implementing policies, and that the feedback will be reflected in detailed policy steps going forward.
Kang said, “The battleground for an era of 30 million inbound visitors is ultimately the regions, and local governments hold the key to success.”
He added, “With the National Tourism Strategy Council elevated to a presidential body, the ministry will communicate more closely with local governments to deliver a tourism leap that both the public and foreign visitors can feel.”
* This article has been translated by AI.
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