Incheon Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Selected as New Tourism Dure Areas... Creating a Local Tourism Ecosystem

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu in Incheon have been selected as new areas for the '2022 Tourism Dure Project' hosted and organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization.

The Tourism Dure Project aims to foster tourism businesses that produce and sell accommodations, food and beverage, travel, experiences, leisure, souvenirs, and more, which have unique local characteristics through voluntary participation of residents and linkage with local resources. It also seeks to create local jobs and establish a sustainable local tourism ecosystem.

According to Incheon City on the 24th, the new Tourism Dure areas this year include 19 locations nationwide, including Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu in Incheon, and 19 Tourism Dure PDs for these areas were also selected.

The Tourism Dure PD acts as a facilitator connecting local governments and residents, visitors and residents, and residents with each other. They support resident businesses by providing startup consultations, practical management training, and product market development for up to five years.

Incheon City was selected in March last year for the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's 'Tourism Dure Regional Cooperation Project' and established the Tourism Dure Cooperation Center within the Incheon Tourism Enterprise Support Center. It has also operated academies for discovering and nurturing prospective PDs and resident businesses, conducted capacity-building training, and provided customized consulting.

As a result, two prospective PDs discovered through this project were selected as Tourism Dure PDs, leading to the selection of Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu as new Tourism Dure areas.

An official from Incheon City stated, "Following the Tourism Dure Regional Cooperation Project, being selected as a new Tourism Dure area is expected to revitalize local tourism, which has been stagnant due to COVID-19, and contribute to creating jobs for residents."