Hwang Hee "Forming Tourism Recovery TF to Officially Discuss Travel Bubble"

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee attending an on-site meeting with the tourism industry to overcome COVID-19 on the 16th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hwang Hee is forming a special team to help the tourism industry recover from difficulties caused by COVID-19 and is beginning full-scale discussions on travel bubbles. He is also promoting the introduction of rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing methods for the travel industry in consultation with quarantine authorities.

On the 16th, Minister Hwang held the "COVID-19 Overcoming Tourism Industry Field Meeting" as his first step in the tourism sector after taking office at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, and announced these plans. Minister Hwang said, "To restore tourism demand, we will operate a dedicated task force (TF) for early recovery of the international tourism market with experts and industry representatives to actively discuss travel bubbles," adding, "We will also proceed with consultations with quarantine authorities to introduce rapid PCR testing methods." A travel bubble is an agreement between two or more countries that have successfully controlled COVID-19 to allow free travel without quarantine.

Minister Hwang stated, "Although the tourism industry was not subject to gathering restrictions, it was practically unable to operate due to travel advisories and self-quarantine," emphasizing, "We will review additional financial and fiscal support to help the tourism industry endure beyond COVID-19 and strengthen consultations with the ruling party and government to ensure the industry's demands are reflected in discussions on the 4th disaster relief fund and the Disaster Compensation Act."

At the meeting, representatives from tourism, travel, hotels, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and casinos expressed the difficulties they currently face. They demanded not only additional direct support measures such as financial, fiscal, and employment assistance but also an active role from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in restoring the tourism market.

Furthermore, they raised the need to extend the designation period of special employment support industries related to travel agencies, tourist accommodations, and international conferences, which is set to expire in March, until the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also requested the additional designation of amusement facilities and casino industries as special employment support industries.

In response, Minister Hwang said, "We are actively consulting with related ministries such as the Ministry of Employment and Labor to review various measures including the extension and additional designation of special employment support industries and support for the 4th disaster relief fund," adding, "Although there are many difficulties on the ground, I hope the industry will use this opportunity to strengthen competitiveness through digital transformation."

Minister Hwang also emphasized, "Through the TF being formed this time, we will consult with quarantine authorities to operate safe inbound tourism products as soon as possible," and added, "We will do our best to help the industry recover even a little through this."

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