'Tourism Day' Euntap Industrial Medal Awarded to Yoon Young-ho, CEO of Hotel International

Yoon Young-ho, recipient of the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit and CEO of Hotel International Co., Ltd.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism held a government awards ceremony on the 23rd at the Millennium Hilton Seoul Hotel in celebration of the 47th Tourism Day to honor those who contributed to tourism promotion. The awardees included 23 recipients of government awards such as the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit, including Yoon Young-ho, CEO of Hotel International Co., Ltd., and 2 recipients of the Tourism Promotion Tower, totaling 25 people.

CEO Yoon was awarded the Silver Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit in recognition of his 32 years of operating a tourist hotel in the Gyeongnam region and his efforts to revitalize local tourism and the economy. Since 2018, he has served as the president of the Korea Tourism Association Central Council, contributing to the activation of the tourism industry, including the expansion of the tourism mutual aid association. He also contributed to preparing government support measures for the tourism industry, which was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and engaged in social contribution activities such as donations to overcome COVID-19.

The Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Baek Hyun, CEO of Lotte Tour Development Co., Ltd. CEO Baek contributed to the development of Korea’s tourism industry as a professional manager of a comprehensive travel agency for 21 years. In particular, he has led the popularization of cruises in Korea, a country where the cruise industry was previously undeveloped, by facilitating the entry of world-renowned large cruise ships and operating the only chartered cruise ship in the country.

The Iron Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit was awarded to Kim Dae-jung, CEO of Seoul Land Co., Ltd. He contributed to the growth of Seoul Land into one of Korea’s top three theme parks, with 66 million visitors to date, and promoted social enterprise support, events inviting vulnerable groups in the region, and talent donation activities.

The recipients of the Stone Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit included Kim Hae-ryong, CEO of Busan Marine Tourism Development. He was recognized for his efforts to improve the environment and systems for safe ship operation, as well as his contributions to job creation and regional economic revitalization, thereby advancing the tourism industry in the Busan area.

In addition to government awards such as orders and medals, 80 individuals who dedicated themselves to the development of the tourism industry in various related fields received commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Two companies that contributed to foreign currency earnings received the Tourism Promotion Tower, and four companies received the Tourism Promotion Encouragement Tower.

Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said, "Many tourism professionals have worked together to overcome COVID-19 and maintain quarantine measures despite difficult circumstances. I express my gratitude and respect for their dedication and efforts." He added, "The government will continue to consider necessary support measures for the tourism industry and plans to establish future tourism strategies to wisely open the post-COVID-19 era."

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