Gwangju Mayor Lee Yong-seop Listens to Tourism Industry Challenges

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, visited the Gwangju Metropolitan City Tourism Association in Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, and held a meeting with Chairman Jeong Gil-young and executives to listen to the difficulties faced by the tourism industry due to COVID-19 and discuss support measures. Photo by Gwangju Metropolitan City

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] On the 22nd, Lee Yong-seop, Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, attended a meeting with tourism association officials held at the Gwangju Tourism Association located in Geumnam-ro, Dong-gu, and listened to the difficulties faced by the tourism industry related to COVID-19.

The meeting was attended by Jeong Gil-young, President of the Gwangju Tourism Association, association officials, and Nam Seong-suk, CEO of the Gwangju Tourism Foundation.

At the meeting, President Jeong and association executives said, "The damage to the tourism industry caused by COVID-19 is more severe than expected," and "More fundamental support is needed to save the local tourism industry pushed to the brink."

In response, Mayor Lee said, "Since last year, due to travel restrictions and self-quarantine caused by COVID-19, the tourism industry has been practically unable to operate, causing great difficulties, which is regrettable," and added, "Since last year, we have supported tourism industry promotion marketing and livelihood stabilization funds for the travel industry to help the tourism industry endure."

He continued, "Let’s have the city, the Gwangju Tourism Foundation?a specialized tourism organization with expertise?and the association with accumulated field know-how collaborate to turn the COVID-19 crisis into an opportunity for Gwangju tourism to take off again," and added, "We will continuously prepare support measures that empower the tourism industry, such as healing programs for tourism workers."