Strategies to Enhance Support Policy Effectiveness and Strengthen Competitiveness
Planning Projects to Overcome Crisis Including Travel Product Discounts and Job Training
The check-in counters at the departure hall of Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 are showing a quiet scene. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heung-soon] The government is launching a survey to accurately assess the damage suffered by travel agencies, which are on the brink of collapse due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). It also aims to revive tourism demand through travel product discounts, one of the eight consumer coupons funded by the third supplementary budget.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 29th a plan to promote a project to help the travel industry overcome the crisis caused by COVID-19. First, under the supervision of the Korea Association of Travel Agents, a systematic and comprehensive survey will be conducted for about 18,000 travel agencies nationwide that have suffered significant damage from COVID-19 over the course of one month starting in September.
This inspection will not only cover the general business conditions and employment status identified in previous tourism business surveys but also, in collaboration with professional research institutions, will examine detailed aspects by task. To assist the travel industry facing economic difficulties due to COVID-19, 850 inspectors including workers, experienced employees, tourist interpreters and guides, overseas travel leaders, and tourism department graduates (or soon-to-be graduates) will be deployed.
The Ministry explained, "We will analyze the results of this inspection to enhance the effectiveness of support policies for the travel industry and establish a foundation to strengthen competitiveness," adding, "We also plan to create infographics for easy understanding and post them together with related organizations."
In the already announced 'Domestic Travel Early Reservation Discount Product Support' project, the application criteria have been revised to include travel products with itineraries in Jeju as eligible. Travel products selected through a public contest on the Korea Association of Travel Agents website by the 10th of next month will receive partial subsidies for the discount amount.
For businesses selling supported travel products online, Tide Square, which operates the 'Worker Vacation Support Project' website, transportation and accommodation reservation site 'Tourbis,' and Hyundai Card Privia, has been selected as a preferred negotiation partner.
Starting mid-next month, the Ministry will also conduct job competency enhancement training for 8,500 travel industry workers who have been on leave or furloughed due to COVID-19. The training will cover 17 detailed courses across four themes: job competency enhancement, change management, future talent development, and strengthening the capabilities of tourist interpreters and guides, primarily delivered online. Recruitment for trainees is planned for early next month.
Additionally, a travel industry task force (TF) called the 'Travel Industry Innovation Council' has been formed to develop related institutional improvement measures. The council discusses current issues in the travel industry, crisis management plans such as establishing mutual aid associations and compensation funds, and responses to global online travel agencies.
A Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official stated, "We will continue to pay attention and provide support so that the travel industry can overcome the crisis and develop into a sustainable future industry."
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