Despite the rising tension over China’s curbs imposed against hallyu (Korean Wave), Korea and China held a tourism minister-level meeting and signed an MOU to invigorate the tourism markets of both countries.
Minister Cho Yoon-sun of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) participated in a ceremony to wrap up the “2016 Visit Korea Year” in Beijing on Dec. 15 and signed an MOU to strengthen cooperation on joint scrutiny into the Korean and Chinese tourism markets during her meeting with her Chinese counterpart, Chairman Li Jinzao of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).
Following a deal on the promotion of friendship through expanded bilateral tourism exchanges Korea and China, which was signed during their summit meeting in July 2014, the year 2015 was designed as “Visit China Year” and 2016 as “Visit Korea Year.”
On the occasion of the 2016 Visit Korea Year, the MCST has concentrated its focus on improving Korea’s appeal by strengthening such marketing activities as the development of 88 tourism products tailored to meet Chinese tastes. They also concentrated on easing inconveniences that Chinese tourists experience by having tour groups exempted from visa fees. Thanks to these efforts, Korea is forecast to achieve its initial goal of attracting 8 million Chinese tourists in 2016.
The ceremony in which about 150 invited government and tourism officials from both countries were present was an opportunity to evaluate the outcomes of the two-year Visit Korea, Visit China, promotion events. The two tourism ministers exchanged congratulations on the successful execution of the Visit Korea and Visit China initiatives, and pledged bilateral solidarity as cooperative future partners.
Despite the political unrest surrounding the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, MCST Minister Cho expressed her determination to push ahead with policies to promote the tourism industry, and she extended thanks to 10 Chinese tourism agencies which have contributed to boosting trips to Korea during the 2016 Visit Korea Year. She gave a plague of appreciation to each of them.
Recognizing the need for joint management and control of the tourism markets, Korea and China reached the deal following several working-level meetings over the past year. The agreement is a significant step toward the development of the tourism markets of both counties by eradicating cheaper tourist products and establishing tourism market order, the MCST said.
MCST Minister Cho proposed a 1st, vice minister-level, Korean-Chinese consultative meeting on joint management and control in Korea next March as a first step to flesh out action plans toward the qualitative improvement of tourism markets following the signing of the MOU. Minister Cho also met with CEOs of major Chinese tourism agencies, thanked them for invigorating of the tourism industry despite the hard times, and delivered the message that there are no safety concerns for tourists in Korea.
She also urged the CEOs to provide support and strengthen the marketing of premium tourism products tailored to meet Chinese needs, boost individual tourist trips and develop regional tourism content for Korea, particularly following the implementation of Hallyu-related visa policies.
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MCST Minister Cho gestures with CNTA Chairman Li at a ceremony to sign a MOU and wrap up the two-year Visit Korea, Visit China, promotion events. (Photos: MCST)
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