Ushisan, First Domestic Certification in Environmental Resource Circulation Field for ‘ESG Excellent Tourism Certification’

[Photo - ‘ESG Excellent Tourism Certification’ Environment Category, Korea's First Certification in Resource Circulation Field Awarded to ‘Woosisan Co., Ltd.’]

Ulsan's representative tourism company, Wusisan Co., Ltd., has received the country's first 'ESG Excellent Tourism Certification' in the Environment and Resource Circulation sectors from the Korea Management Registrar (KMR).

The 'ESG Excellent Tourism Certification' is a system newly introduced this year by KMR to promote ESG activities within the tourism industry. It grants certification after evaluating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) related activities of tourism-related local governments and businesses. Wusisan received high marks in the Environment (E) sector, specifically in resource circulation.

As Ulsan City's first tourism startup, a tourism venture company selected by the Korea Tourism Organization, and a member of the Ulsan Culture and Tourism Foundation MICE Alliance, Wusisan is actively engaged in various activities. The company has a creative and innovative business model that integrates 'tourism' with 'environment.'

Wusisan produces various tourism souvenirs inspired by whales and endangered marine species together with vulnerable groups such as people with developmental disabilities, primarily using discarded materials like waste plastic and old clothes.

Starting from discarded PET bottles, old clothes, expired masks, used safety helmets, and marine plastics, Wusisan has created over 40 different types of virtuous cycle products.

Wusisan's tourism souvenirs, which add sustainable upcycling value to discarded resources, are popular and sold at the Ulsan Museum, Busan Beacon Ground, and rest area stores along national highways nationwide. In particular, Wusisan's souvenir shop at the Ulsan Museum is recognized as an excellent case that pursues environmental value, promotes local cultural content, and additionally increases jobs for vulnerable groups. This has garnered great public response and a flood of benchmarking inquiries from across the country.

Kim Ji-won, Director of the Tourism Strategy Center at Korea Management Registrar, stated, "ESG tourism is an inevitable trend for the sake of a beautiful planet," adding, "Wusisan's vision and activities regarding resource circulation are highly significant as they contribute to the activation of sustainable tourism."

Meanwhile, as of December 2024, institutions and companies that have received the 'ESG Excellent Tourism Certification' include the National Institute of Ecology, National Sejong Arboretum, High1 Resort, and Oak Valley.