Minister Yuinchon: "Promoting Bicycle Tourism... Will Visit 100 Regions Nationwide to Address Regulations"

'Tourism Industry Strategy Meeting' at Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center
"Improving Regulations through Ministry Consultations and Revitalizing Local Tourism"

"Many tourists from Japan visit Korea with bicycles on ships, and there are also many foreign tourists embarking on bicycle tours in Namhae. Except for the Four Major Rivers, bicycle paths are not well developed, but if we connect the bicycle paths spreading from the Four Major Rivers to nearby small and medium-sized cities to activate bicycle tourism, I believe we can pioneer a blue ocean."

On the 23rd, Minister Yoo In-chon is speaking at the 'Tourism Industry Strategy Meeting' held at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. [Photo by Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism]

Yoo In-chon, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, stated this on the 23rd at the 'Tourism Industry Strategy Meeting' held at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, regarding plans to revitalize bicycle tourism.

At this meeting with tourism industry officials, Minister Yoo emphasized, “We plan to include a budget for revitalizing bicycle tourism next year,” and added, "We will establish related policies well, improve what needs to be improved, and prepare strategies to attract tourists to local areas."

Previously, Minister Yoo was known to enjoy cycling so much that he even commuted by bicycle on his first day as a ministerial nominee. Last fall, he cycled 2,000 km across Europe, and earlier this year, he commuted daily about 30 km one way by bicycle from his home in Seongsu-dong to the rehearsal room for the play 'Faust.' He explained, "Foreign tourists visiting Korea want to buy the National Bicycle Route Handbook, but it is not available at the airport, and there are few places selling it even in Seoul. Since (bicycle tourism) is a blue ocean, we plan to organize related policies starting next year."

At the meeting, representatives from local tourism organizations, tourism startups, medical tourism specialized hospitals, and inbound tourism companies proposed regulatory improvements on issues they face in the field, such as ▲easing regulations on shared accommodations ▲increasing payment amounts for foreigner-only payment passes ▲relaxing marketing regulations for medical tourism.

Minister Yoo said, "Soon, all ministries will gather at the National Tourism Strategy Meeting, and I will raise the issues brought up today," adding, "I will try to resolve problems that require consultation with other ministries in any way possible."

He also added, "We will focus on researching ways not only to attract inbound tourists but also to enable domestic tourists to stay longer at local tourist destinations."

Minister Yoo also expressed his commitment to developing regionally specialized travel programs. He pointed out, "Old historic cities like Jeonju, Gyeongju, and Buyeo should showcase content befitting their history, but they lack distinctiveness," and added, "We should pay more attention to regional specialization, such as recreating old streets without reckless development, so that many domestic tourists can also visit."

Furthermore, Minister Yoo said, "The tourism industry needs an environment where groups or alliances can frequently exchange opinions and information and collaborate," and "If the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's help is needed, we will prepare support measures for such meetings."

He also revealed plans to personally visit tourist sites that highlight local attractions such as the Local 100 selections. Minister Yoo stated, "I am considering how to reduce outbound travel by domestic tourists and increase inbound tourists," and added, "Starting next month, I will pilot visits to the ‘Local 100’ sites."

The Local 100 are representative local attractions, masters, and contents selected by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, including Andong Hahoe Village, Daejeon Seongsimdang, Yangyang Surf Beach, Jinju Namgang Yudeung Festival, and Namwon Municipal Gugakdan’s regular Changgeuk performances.

Minister Yoo said, "The composition of programs is the most important aspect of tourism content," and added, "I will take an interest and work together to develop convergent tourism content through communication among industry players." He emphasized, "Since tourism is a comprehensive industry that combines various fields, I will actively engage in cooperation among related ministries."