Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Discusses Overcoming Damage and Rebound with Local Governments and Tourism Industry

Kim Jeong-bae, 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghyun Choi] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 22nd that it held the ‘Provincial Tourism Directors Meeting’ by connecting the Government Sejong Complex and each city and province via video on the 22nd.

This meeting was organized to share support measures to overcome the difficulties faced by the tourism industry amid the ongoing COVID-19 situation and to discuss policy plans in preparation for the post-COVID-19 period.

Currently, each local government is providing additional financial support of over 1 million KRW per business under various names such as tourism recovery leap funds, industry priming support, emergency livelihood support funds for travel agencies, and hope projects to save the travel industry, in addition to government support related to COVID-19 support measures for the tourism industry.

Furthermore, some have revised ordinances to establish subsidy support regulations for tourism businesses. There were also cases where separate funds were created to revitalize the industry and provide emergency support, or office rent was supported to reduce the burden on businesses.

Participants noted that despite these self-help measures, difficulties still remain in the tourism industry and requested additional government support. The most frequent request was to continue the ‘Tourism Site Quarantine and Reception System Improvement Project,’ which had a significant effect in helping tourism workers maintain their livelihoods and recover, and allowing travelers to travel with peace of mind. In response, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that it would strive to secure the project budget through supplementary budgets or fund adjustments to relaunch the project.

There were also many requests to expand support projects such as shared office support for the travel industry, as well as proposals to promote travel safety zones (Travel Bubble) and create pilot areas to resume international tourism.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism expressed agreement on the need to reduce the operational cost burden on the travel industry and announced that it would consult with financial authorities to expand shared office support nationwide. It also explained that travel safety zones are being comprehensively reviewed and that close consultations will continue with quarantine authorities, related agencies, and counterpart countries.

During this meeting, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism provided information on this year’s public contest project schedule for local governments and requested their cooperation. As difficulties persist in tourism accommodation facilities and the MICE industry, the ministry asked local governments that have already been temporarily reducing local taxes and charges for these sectors to maintain these relief measures until the situation improves.

Additionally, the ministry urged local governments to utilize online platforms such as the Korea Tourism Data Institute and the integrated management and reservation system for cultural tourism interpreters; to do their best in establishing the 7th Regional Tourism Development Plan, which is formulated every five years; and to take interest in and participate in various cooperative projects such as tourism enterprise fostering support, Tourism Dure, and strengthening the competitiveness of cultural tourism festivals.

Kim Jung-bae, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated, “Until now, we have been busy responding to unforeseen circumstances, but from now on, it is time to focus on recovering and revitalizing the stagnant tourism market. Since the role of local regions is more important than anything else, we plan to work together with local areas to seek ways to activate tourism.”

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