The National Tourism Strategy Council, Korea's top decision-making body on tourism policy, has been elevated to the presidential level, strengthening the momentum to foster tourism as a national strategic industry.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday that the Cabinet approved a revision to the Framework Act on Tourism, the core of which places the National Tourism Strategy Council under the president rather than the prime minister. The council is the top decision-making body in the tourism sector, deliberating and coordinating the direction and key policies for tourism promotion. Under the existing law, the prime minister served as chair, with the heads of 14 ministries participating as members. The revision not only elevates the council's status by placing it under the president but also expands its functions to include evaluating the performance of tourism promotion plans and reflecting the results in policy.
Since its launch in 2017, the council has convened 11 times. At the most recent session, the "11th National Tourism Strategy Council" held in February, President Lee Jae-myung personally attended and presided, even before the council was formally elevated to presidential status. The move reflects a strong, government-wide commitment to using tourism as an engine for the national economy and regional development.
"This revision formalizes the National Tourism Strategy Council as a presidentially chaired operating system," the ministry said. "It is highly significant in that it strengthens the government-wide policy framework to foster the tourism industry as a national strategic industry by enhancing the effectiveness of inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination."
As the first follow-up to the institutional reform, the ministry will hold a "Public Tourism Policy Proposal Contest" together with the Korea Tourism Organization from Wednesday through Dec. 12. Proposals will be accepted in a total of eight categories centered on the "Major Shift in Inbound Tourism, Great Leap in Regional Tourism" measures announced at the 11th National Tourism Strategy Council. Citizens wishing to participate can submit their proposals through the event page on the "Every Corner of Korea" website (korean.visitkorea.or.kr) operated by the Korea Tourism Organization.
One grand prize winner will receive 1 million won, two excellence award winners will each receive 500,000 won, and 17 encouragement award winners will each receive 100,000 won. The ministry plans to announce the winning proposals on Dec. 26. Outstanding proposals will be reflected in tourism policy.
"Based on the strengthened policy foundation, we hope all citizens will show great interest and participate in the Public Tourism Policy Proposal Contest so that we can actively identify the policies needed on the ground," said Kang Jeong-won, director-general for tourism policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
