Why Was a Diagnostic Indicator Developed for Special Management Areas Like Bukchon Hanok Village in Jongno-gu?

Preparing for increased tourist inflow as COVID-19 situation improves... Plan to use diagnostic indicators when designating special management areas in line with the enforcement of subordinate regulations of the Tourism Promotion Act this October

Bukchon Hanok Village

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Kim Young-jong) has completed the development of the ‘Special Management Area Diagnostic Indicators for Establishing a Tourist Management System’ in preparation for the time when the COVID-19 situation improves and tourist inflow becomes active.

Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, tourism trends are shifting towards so-called ‘lifestyle tourism,’ where people safely enjoy outdoor activities close to home.

As the number of tourists seeking unique daily experiences in local areas increases, visitors are concentrating in residential areas, causing ongoing concerns about the spread of infectious diseases, noise, and complaints related to waste in some regions.

Previously, Jongno-gu had taken measures such as designating visiting hours for residential areas with concentrated tourists and assigning dedicated personnel for residents, but due to the absence of higher-level legislation, enforcement was not guaranteed, limiting the effectiveness of local government efforts.

Accordingly, to establish a regional response system, a legislative amendment (Article 48-3 of the Tourism Promotion Act) was proposed to designate areas requiring residential rights protection as ‘Special Management Areas.’

Following the successful enforcement of the law in June last year, in October, Jongno-gu became the first in the nation to stipulate the necessary matters for designating Special Management Areas in local government ordinances, swiftly implementing a system for the promotion and management of the tourism industry.

Moreover, in December 2020, the ‘Research Service for Diagnostic Indicators for Designating Special Management Areas’ was initiated, and by April this year, designation procedures and diagnostic indicators were developed. Through this research, detailed administrative procedures and diagnostic indicators for designating Special Management Areas were designed, and it is planned to utilize them when promoting the designation of Special Management Areas in line with the enforcement of subordinate laws under the Tourism Promotion Act scheduled for October.

In January, Jongno-gu also made additional proposals to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to supplement shortcomings in the newly proposed amendments to the Tourism Promotion Act, including ▲establishing administrative and financial support grounds for local governments designating Special Management Areas ▲adding delegated ordinance measures based on the law ▲introducing penalty provisions for fines.

In April, a bill including these proposals was promulgated, and until the bill’s enforcement in October, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is expected to conduct consultations on revising subordinate laws such as enforcement decrees and enforcement rules in cooperation with related organizations including Jongno-gu and Seoul City.

District Mayor Kim Young-jong stated, “This is a time when foresight is needed to prepare in advance for the point when the COVID-19 situation improves and tourist inflow becomes possible,” adding, “I hope the Special Management Area policy will serve as an opportunity for residents who have experienced inconveniences at the boundaries between tourist sites and residential areas and for our tourism industry to coexist.”

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