South Gyeongsang Province has unveiled a mid-to-long-term eco-tourism plan to be implemented over five years from 2026 to 2030. The plan aims to build a "sustainable tourism system" that preserves natural and cultural resources while revitalizing the regional economy, in response to the climate crisis and environmental change.
The provincial government said Tuesday that it had established the "South Gyeongsang Province Eco-Tourism Promotion Master Plan (2026-2030)," based on the province's outstanding natural ecological resources and cultural resources. It is a mid-to-long-term comprehensive plan designed to implement systematic eco-tourism policies in response to the climate crisis and environmental change.
The plan was prepared in accordance with the "Ordinance on the Promotion and Support of Eco-Tourism in South Gyeongsang Province." Under the vision of "eco-tourism that considers the planet together with Gyeongnam's nature and culture," it set the goal of building a sustainable tourism system through the preservation of ecological value, the revitalization of the regional economy, and expanded resident participation.
The provincial government presented three policy directions and 11 implementation tasks: establishing regional eco-tourism infrastructure; building and operating sustainable hub facilities; and realizing eco-tourism based on citizen (resident) participation.
In the area of establishing regional eco-tourism infrastructure, the province will expand the tourism foundation by linking Gyeongnam's ecological and cultural resources. The plan is to create ecological experience and use facilities as well as hub facilities, building an eco-friendly tourism environment where anyone can easily access nature.
In the area of building and operating sustainable hub facilities, the province will revise relevant laws and systems and establish a support framework. The plan is to strengthen community-centered management systems and to discover and nurture eco-tourism sites with potential to enhance competitiveness.
In the area of realizing eco-tourism based on citizen participation, the province will develop storytelling content that reflects regional characteristics. The goal is to foster eco-tourism specialists and increase jobs, contributing to the revitalization of the regional economy.
The provincial government plans to strengthen cooperation networks with related agencies and domestic and international eco-tourism organizations and to build a "Gyeongnam-style eco-tourism" brand. It said it would expand domestic and international promotion to raise the recognition and competitiveness of Gyeongnam's eco-tourism.
"This is the starting point for achieving harmony between regional economic revitalization and environmental preservation while protecting Gyeongnam's outstanding natural ecological resources," said Lee Jae-cheol, director general of the Environment and Forestry Bureau of South Gyeongsang Province. "We will push ahead without disruption so that the province can leap forward as Korea's leading eco-tourism hub."
