"Tourism Marks a Turning Point Toward a National Strategic Industry"... Industry Welcomes Elevation of Strategy Meeting to Presidential Leadership

Joint Statement Issued by Korea Tourism Association Central Council and Others
Calls for Policy Changes That Make a Real Difference on the Ground

The tourism industry has expressed its welcome for the decision to elevate the National Tourism Strategy Meeting to be chaired by the President. The Korea Tourism Association Central Council, along with tourism associations by sector and region, and industry-specific committees, issued a joint statement on the 21st, evaluating this measure as a turning point that will enhance the effectiveness of tourism policy implementation.

President Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Expanded National Tourism Strategy Meeting held at the Blue House on the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

The industry explained that this joint statement is the first time a collective position has been presented regarding the restructuring of the tourism policy implementation system. They also noted that the statement reflects expectations for the elevation of tourism to a national strategic industry.

In the statement, it was said, "Elevating the National Tourism Strategy Meeting to be chaired by the President marks a turning point that will enhance the effectiveness of tourism policy implementation," adding, "Going forward, the policy system should transform into one that is responsible for execution and results." The statement also expressed the expectation that if the policy evaluation and feedback system is strengthened, the effectiveness and accountability of policy will also be improved.

Kyungsoo Lee, Chairman of the Korea Tourism Association Central Council, stated, "Tourism is an industry that revitalizes local communities, creates jobs, and connects people," adding, "Given that the industry's business conditions remain challenging due to external uncertainties such as the recent situation in the Middle East, the elevation should not remain a mere institutional change. The industry will work together with the government to ensure that this leads to enhanced effectiveness in tourism policy and tangible changes felt on the ground."

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