Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member Kim Ki-tae Urges Measures for Tourism Policy Amid COVID-19 Impact

Kim Ki-tae, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry in Jeonnam Province is sinking into a recession, indicating the need for drastic measures.

Jeonnam Province is planning and promoting various tourism policies to achieve 60 million tourists, but these efforts have become ineffective due to the impact of COVID-19.

On the 23rd, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly member Kim Gitae stated, “As COVID-19 shows signs of prolongation, the ambitious tourism policies promoted by Jeonnam Province have virtually lost their effectiveness,” adding, “With festivals and various events being canceled one after another, the local economy and tourist attraction efforts have also been disrupted.”

In fact, looking at the status of festivals in 22 cities and counties, 9 out of 10 spring festivals scheduled for March were canceled, 5 out of 20 in April, and 1 out of 19 in May, totaling 15 spring festivals that were either fully canceled or postponed.

Muan Airport also aggressively marketed route expansions aiming for 1 million passengers, but due to a “sharp decline in passengers,” all airlines have suspended international and domestic flights.

Additionally, according to a survey conducted by the Jeonnam Culture and Tourism Foundation from the 28th of last month for 10 days, targeting local cultural artists (groups) and travel agencies (218 people) through online and telephone consultations to assess COVID-19 damage, 98% of respondents in the performing arts sector reported income decreases due to cancellations and postponements of performances and lessons.

In the tourism sector, more than 90% of reservations for local travel agency tour products were canceled, and sales revenue significantly decreased compared to the previous year.

Assembly member Kim Gitae emphasized, “Jeonnam Province has formed a task force to respond to the COVID-19 economic situation by sector, analyzing losses in the travel industry and seeking measures for local festivals and events, including deferring repayment of tourism promotion fund loans for one year, but the damage observed in the tourism industry on the ground is severe,” adding, “As COVID-19 shows signs of prolongation, it is urgent to prepare drastic measures at the level of Jeonnam Province and the Provincial Assembly.”

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