Vice Minister Jang Miran Emphasizes 'Safe Travel in Korea' at Korea-Japan Tourism Forum

Jang Miran Emphasizes "No Issues with Korean Tourism"
Actively Responds to Safety Concerns of Tourists Including Japan
60th Anniversary of Korea-Japan Diplomatic Normalization... Tourism Cooperation Enhancement Event

"I have heard that many Japanese people are worried about visiting Korea. As you can see, daily life in Korea continues unchanged, and major tourist attractions are operating normally as usual. The government is doing its best to ensure that all visitors can enjoy Korea safely and without inconvenience."

Jang Mi-ran, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is delivering the opening remarks at the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum held on the 9th at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

On the afternoon of the 9th, Jang Mi-ran, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, attended the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum held at the Seoul Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, and explained concerns related to the emergency martial law situation and the impeachment political crisis, emphasizing that there are no issues with tourism in Korea.

The ‘Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum’ held that day was an event organized to strengthen cooperation in the tourism industry between Korea and Japan and to discuss sustainable exchange measures. Ahead of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic normalization next year, about 120 government officials, tourism industry representatives, and related industry stakeholders from both Korea and Japan attended the forum.

The event highlighted the importance of continued exchanges between the two countries and the need to expand cooperation in the Korea-Japan tourism industry.

Vice Minister Jang said, "Even after the COVID-19 crisis ended, Korea and Japan were the first and most frequent destinations for each other," adding, "This year as well, Korea and Japan remain each other’s number one outbound destinations."

She continued, "Korea and Japan are that close and special friends," and added, "The tourism industries of both countries are thinking about how to attract more people, have them stay longer, and increase satisfaction."

Furthermore, Vice Minister Jang Mi-ran emphasized, "Next year, Korea will host the APEC Summit in Gyeongju, and Japan will hold the Osaka-Kansai Expo, welcoming guests from around the world," adding, "The Korea-Japan tourism industries are important partners not only for human exchanges between the two countries but also for sharing best policy practices and expanding inter-industry exchanges."

Naoya Haraikawa, Director of the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, is giving a greeting at the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum held on the 9th at the Seoul Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

Naoya Haraikawa, Director of the Japan Tourism Agency at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, responded in his greeting, saying, "Among foreign tourists visiting Japan this year, Koreans account for about 25%, symbolizing the special relationship in tourism exchanges between Korea and Japan."

He also requested many visits to the Osaka-Kansai Expo next year. Director Naoya said, "I hope that more Koreans will visit Japan through the Osaka Expo next year, and I ask for your interest not only in Osaka but also in Japan’s regional tourist destinations."

He added, "I believe those attending today play important roles in various fields of Korea-Japan tourism," and said, "In that sense, I hope that with cooperation, the friendly relationship in tourism exchanges between Japan and Korea will be further enhanced."

The forum was held under the theme of ‘Collaboration for the Expansion of Tourism Experiences,’ and experts from various fields including tourism, beauty, distribution, and IT participated to share diverse trends and marketing strategies.

K-beauty leader Olive Young presented a case of evolving into a shopping and experience space, and Tokyo Banana manufacturer Grapestone shared a strategy of developing souvenirs into a content brand. Japanese restaurant review site Tabelog proposed the need for AI translation services and instant reservation functions for foreign tourists.

Jang Mi-ran, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, is taking a commemorative photo with Naoya Haraikawa, Director of the Japan Tourism Agency at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and other attendees at the Korea-Japan Tourism Business Forum held on the 9th at the Shilla Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

The first session discussed Korea-Japan tourism trends, mentioning the increase in Korean tourists visiting small Japanese cities and the rising number of Japanese tourists visiting Korea. The second session covered experiential tourism trends and spending patterns, sharing data that 47% of Japanese tourists spend on cosmetics, restaurants, and clothing, and that 60% are in their 20s and 30s.

Chef Kwon Woo-jung of Michelin 2-star Korean restaurant Kwon Sook Soo pointed out, "While experiential tourism and gourmet tourism are gaining popularity, there is a lack of specific experiential products such as Korean cooking classes or market tours for foreigners," emphasizing the need to develop new services combining gourmet food and traditional culture. Yukiko Ono, Brand Communication Manager at Grapestone, which produces one of Japan’s representative souvenirs, ‘Tokyo Banana,’ shared experiences of evolving from a dessert brand to a content brand by releasing various brand collaborations as well as toys, cushions, bags, and brand books as souvenir goods.

Additionally, Professor Lee Hoon of Hanyang University proposed the sustainability of tourism between the two countries through joint marketing for long-distance countries and the activation of youth and local government exchanges.

Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, encouraged the tourism industries of both countries by stating, "Tourism cooperation between Korea and Japan is a central axis for future-oriented development," while emphasizing the government’s efforts to ensure the safety and convenience of foreign tourists.

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