Tourism Public Corporation Hosts 'DMZ Linked Tourism Pilot Product Operation Contest'

Panoramic view of the DMZ Peace Trail.

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] The Korea Tourism Organization is conducting the "DMZ Linked Tourism Pilot Product Operation Contest" from the 12th to the 26th to discover the charm of lesser-known areas near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and to activate the development of linked tourism products with border local governments.

This contest particularly focuses on discovering products targeting the MZ generation (born 1981?2000). By uncovering new and attractive tourism content beyond the well-known DMZ peace tourism themes such as security and ecology, the plan is to create new tourism demand from the MZ generation, surpassing the middle-aged group, thereby promoting tourism revitalization in the DMZ border areas. It also aims to establish a foundation for the travel industry to continuously operate DMZ tourism products through DMZ tourism program planning and pilot product operation.

The contest targets domestic and general travel agencies registered under the Tourism Promotion Act, and the tourism products must utilize tourism content from DMZ border local governments for at least one overnight stay. The contest fields are divided into two categories: DMZ linked tourism products and West Sea 5 Islands linked tourism products. For the DMZ linked tourism product category, the product must include at least two of the nine DMZ border local governments (excluding Ongjin County, Incheon). It must use at least one of the three themes: "Rest and Relaxation," "Culture, Hobby, and Taste," or "Sustainable Tourism." For the West Sea 5 Islands linked tourism product category, the product must include at least one of the West Sea 5 Islands in Ongjin County, Incheon (Yeonpyeongdo, Soyeonpyeongdo, Baengnyeongdo, Daecheongdo, Socheongdo) and propose new tourism themes other than security, ecology, and geology.

Evaluation will be based on expertise and execution capability, product attractiveness, and activation plans through document screening and presentation review. A total of 10 companies will be finally selected: six in the DMZ linked tourism product category and four in the West Sea 5 Islands linked tourism product category. Selected companies will receive support of up to 20 million KRW for product development, pilot product operation, and promotional marketing, along with coaching through expert monitoring.

Applications can be submitted by sending the application form and business plan to the contest operation secretariat's email. Detailed information can be found on the Korea Tourism Organization website under "Announcements & Contests" and on the Korea Association of Travel Agents website under "Notices."