Government Funding of 50 Billion KRW Support by 2024
[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Jeonbuk Province announced on the 28th that Jeonju City has been finally selected in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'Regional Tourism Hub City Contest'.
Through this contest selection, Jeonju City will receive 50 billion KRW in national funding annually for five years starting this year as a foundational project to grow into a city equipped with world-class tourism resources and hospitality capacity.
Along with this, Jeonbuk Province has gained momentum for success in its key policy this year, the brand strategy of becoming the number one destination for history, culture, and ecological travel and experiences.
The development of regional tourism hub cities is a policy planned to innovate regional tourism as announced at the National Tourism Strategy Meeting's 'Korea Tourism Innovation Strategy'. It is a project to foster hub cities that can become new destinations for inbound tourism equipped with world-class tourism resources and brands.
After the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced the contest plan last October for one metropolitan city and four basic local governments to become world-class tourism hub cities, the province judged that selection and concentration were necessary and recommended Jeonju City as the most competitive candidate.
Thirteen cities and counties supported Jeonju City's challenge to become a regional tourism hub city through a tourism cooperation agreement.
The province and Jeonju City have been meticulously preparing for the contest selection since last year through expert reviews and prior consultations on the project plan, passing the document evaluation and jointly preparing for the on-site evaluation.
They conducted two rehearsals in advance and maintained focus until the final evaluation, receiving favorable reviews from the judges through collaborative efforts between the province and municipalities in promoting the contest project.
With this selection, a total of 130 billion KRW in funding will be invested by 2024 in the focused target area (the old downtown area linked to Hanok Village) and related project zones (Ecological Zoo, Deokjin Park, Palbok Art Factory, Seohak Art Village cultural and artistic area), including 50 billion KRW in national funds, 20 billion KRW in provincial funds, and 60 billion KRW in city funds.
The province plans to ensure no delays in related administrative procedures such as establishing the basic plan this year, full-scale facility construction, and operation through close communication and cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Jeonju City.
Additionally, efforts will be made to smoothly promote linked projects through core and strategic projects according to the annual development and operation plans, making Jeonju City Korea's premier tourism city with a regional tourism brand, and spreading this to the 13 cities and counties to create the number one destination for the most Korean travel experiences.
Governor Song Ha-jin said, “The selection as a regional tourism hub city contest winner is a valuable achievement made possible by the cooperation of the entire local community including Jeonbuk Province, Jeonju City, experts, and the support of 13 cities and counties in the province,” and added, “I also thank the central evaluation committee, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and officials from central government agencies who recognized the value of Jeonbuk.”
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