Providing 'Total Tourism' from Foreign Tourists' Entry to Accommodation and Food

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Amid the significant contraction of the tourism market due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the government announced that it will introduce a tourism package that provides foreign tourists with accommodation and food services all at once from the point of entry. Through this, the plan is to disperse tourism demand, which is currently concentrated only in Seoul and the Gyeonggi area, to other regions as well.

On the afternoon of the 26th, Koo Yoon-cheol, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, held a meeting at the Government Seoul Office in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, to develop a pilot model for the 'Korea Total Tourism Package' and shared these details. The meeting was attended by related ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Korea Tourism Organization.

In his opening remarks, Vice Minister Koo stated, "Last year, our country attracted a record high of 17.5 million foreign tourists, but recently suffered damage due to the COVID-19 situation," adding, "There is a need for rapid short-term reinforcement measures for the tourism industry and a tourism pilot model for recovery of growth and qualitative leap."

In support of this, the government will promote the 'Korea Total Tourism Package' to assist the tourism industry. Tourism information such as accommodation, transportation, and restaurants will be provided via 5th generation mobile communication (5G). Vice Minister Koo introduced it as "a new tourism model that is meticulously designed and provided from airport entry to movement, accommodation, sightseeing, dining, and entertainment," and explained, "It is an idea to solve the problem where 68.7% of foreign tourists enter through Incheon Airport and mainly visit Seoul and Gyeonggi, thus failing to utilize regional tourism resources."

He continued, "This project is significant in that multiple ministries and related agencies collaborate organically," and explained, "The Ministry of Economy and Finance plans to prepare a convergence budget next year based on the pilot model created through inter-ministerial and agency cooperation and joint work."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.