South Korea and Japan have arranged a meeting to discuss ways to expand tourism exchanges and revitalize regional tourism. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced that it will hold the 39th Korea-Japan Tourism Promotion Council with the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, on the 15th and 16th to discuss expanding tourism exchanges and revitalizing regional tourism.
The Korea-Japan Tourism Promotion Council has been held alternately in South Korea and Japan every year since 1986, contributing to the enhancement of friendship between the two countries. Last year, it was held in Gangneung, South Korea, and this year, about 80 officials from the tourism and aviation industries, including the main ministries of both countries, local governments, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO), the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), and travel associations, will gather in Japan to discuss ways to expand tourism exchanges.
This year, in particular, marks the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Japan, and the council will discuss tasks such as the continuous expansion of tourism exchanges, revitalization of regional tourism, activation of exchanges for future generations, diversification of the tourism industry, and cooperation in attracting long-distance tourists. Following the announcement of the tourism policy directions of both governments, the KTO, JNTO, and travel associations will share their opinions on ways to expand Korea-Japan tourism exchanges.
Mokpo City in South Jeolla Province and Shiga Prefecture in Japan will introduce strategies to attract tourists using various tourism resources that can only be experienced locally. The Yeosu Island Expo Organizing Committee will promote the Yeosu World Island Expo, which will be held from September 5 to November 4 next year, as a case of regional tourism revitalization. Cheongju International Airport, the Kansai Tourism Bureau, and Kansai International Airport in Japan will also present their opinions on promoting tourism exchanges between the two countries.