Jongno-gu Announces 'Comprehensive Tourism Development Plan' Including Smart Tourism City Creation

Based on Rich Local Infrastructure, Enhancing the Quality of the Tourism Industry and Exploring COVID-19 Response Measures... Vision: 'A Sustainable Growth Tourism City Creating Future Value While Embracing Tradition'... Annual Implementation of 12 Key Tasks in 4 Major Areas by 2026

Bird's-eye view of Jongno District Office building

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Jongno-gu is establishing a 'Five-Year Tourism Development Basic Plan (2022~2026)' with a long-term vision to systematically and comprehensively promote tourism policies.

This is to enhance the qualitative level of the tourism industry based on the region's abundant history, nature, culture, and arts infrastructure, and to lay the foundation for a swift recovery from the unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19.

Today, as the global tourism industry suffers simultaneous damage due to the pandemic, international travel demand has significantly decreased, but the number of domestic tourists remains at a certain level.

Accordingly, Jongno-gu judged that prior preparation for revitalizing domestic tourism is necessary in anticipation of the easing of COVID-19 and the increase in travel activities nationwide. Based on 'domestic and international tourism market trends,' 'regional environment analysis,' and 'analysis of representative tourist attractions and cultural facilities,' the plan comprehensively includes future policy goals and upcoming tasks.

Under the vision of a "Sustainable Growth Tourism City that Embraces Tradition and Creates Future Value," four major areas and twelve key tasks have been set: ▲discovering regionally specialized tourism content ▲establishing a sustainable tourism platform ▲creating a smart tourism city ▲establishing a global tourism readiness system, to be implemented annually through 2026.

First, to 'discover regionally specialized tourism content,' administrative spaces within the region will be divided by zones to promote efficient linkage and utilization of similar resources.

Accordingly, plans include fostering distinctive tourism content by dividing the area into ‘Artistic Creation Imagination Spaces’ (Pyeongchang-dong, Buam-dong) boasting outstanding scenery harmonized with Hanyangdoseong (Seoul City Wall), ‘Traditional Culture Citizen Spaces’ (Cheongunhyoja-dong, Sajik-dong, Samcheong-dong, etc.) with historical sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace, ‘Performance Culture Play Spaces’ (Hyehwa-dong, Ihwa-dong, Jongno 5·6-ga-dong) rich in various cultural and artistic experiences, and ‘Modern Industry Creative Spaces’ (Changsin-dong, Sungin-dong) centered on the sewing industry.

Examples include operating programs reenacting the ‘Sunlagun’ (night patrol guards) who patrolled the patrol paths during the Joseon Dynasty and developing programs related to local artists to revitalize tourism in Changsin and Sungin.

Additionally, to ‘establish a sustainable tourism platform,’ special management zones will be designated to protect residents' residential rights and create a sustainable tourism environment. This includes discovering and supporting fair tourism products that protect the natural environment alongside residents' daily lives, leading responsible tourism culture.

The creation of a ‘smart tourism city’ aligned with the digital and non-face-to-face transition era is also indispensable. To build tourism services based on smart technology, real-time congestion notification services at tourist sites and automated reservation systems for guided tour programs will be implemented.

Jongno-gu also aims to establish a ‘global tourism readiness system’ by preparing for natural disasters, emergencies, epidemics, and security issues, collaborating with industry experts. They will develop crisis response manuals with advice from related organizations and tourism industry experts and continuously conduct safety management education and on-site inspections to strengthen the capabilities of related workers.

A district official stated, “We will fully commit at the district level to smoothly implement the twelve key tasks across the four major areas in the basic tourism development plan to improve the qualitative level of the tourism industry,” adding, “We will devise various mid- to long-term measures to respond stably to COVID-19 and quickly overcome the current crisis.”

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