Domestic travel key to boosting tour industry

By Lee Hyo-sik

Korea has been promoting the tourism industry as one of its future growth engines, placing top priority on attracting foreign tourists to generate new sources of income and strengthen the competitiveness of the local sector.

The nation has been largely successful in drawing foreign travelers, mostly from China, Japan and other Asian countries in recent years, on the back of the growing popularity of Korean pop culture, an improving international image and the weakening of the Korean won. They spend billions of dollars here each year not only to eat, sleep and visit tourist spots, but also to purchase cosmetics and other merchandise, providing a much-needed boost to Korea’s tourism and retail industry.

However, with millions of Koreans heading overseas for leisure and spending billions of dollars each year in foreign countries, it has realized that without encouraging Koreans to travel domestically, it will be difficult for Korea to become a truly competitive and advanced tourism destination.

Against this backdrop, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and other tourism-related bodies have initiated a range of domestic tourism promotion campaigns and developed tour programs catering to Koreans.

Among other measures, the KTO launched a volunteer group, called ``Korea Tourism Supporters,’’ in February, who help municipal administrations promote and develop their area as a tourist attraction.

A group of volunteers, including foreign envoys, travel agency heads, scholars and students, as well as KTO officials have so far visited five municipalities _ Suncheon in South Jeolla Province, Goyang in Gyeonggi Province, Mungyeong in North Gyeongsang Province, Buyeo and Gongju in South Chungcheong Province and Gangjin in South Jeolla Province.

The supporters plan to visit Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province in September and several more municipalities toward the year’s end.

The KTO also recently published a guidebook, titled ``Refresh Leave,’’ for those who plan to travel in the nation for an extended period of time as part of its efforts to promote the local tourism industry.

It offers detailed information on 21 destinations across the country, targeting tourists planning to take a trip of over seven days. The sites are chosen by professional travelers, journalists, professors and other experts in tourism in Korea.

The guidebook covers Korea’s most popular tourist spots and provides tailor-made information for those who want to travel by foot or bicycle. It also offers a wealth of information for travelers planning to tour by car or motor-home.

A KTO spokesman said the company decided to publish the book to encourage Koreans to travel locally rather than head overseas.

``We expect the book will help promote domestic tourism and revitalize the travel industry here.’’ Refresh Leave will be distributed to businesses, public institutions and universities. It will also be available in a digital format at www.visitkorea.or.kr.

Additionally, the KTO selects and promotes several tourist spots as the place to visit every month and help schools across the country to send students to visit historical sites. In cooperation with travel agencies, it has been developing attractive and affordable tour packages for domestic travelers.

``We have so far focused more on attracting foreign tourists. But we have realized that it is equally important to encourage Koreans to travel locally,’’ the KTO spokesman said. ``In cooperation with other tourism-related state bodies and travel agencies, we have initiated a range of promotional activities and provided information on tour destinations here.’’

He said among other tasks, the KTO will make every effort to expand lodging facilities to help small provincial cities abundant in tourist attractions better attract and accommodate visitors.