The Jeju Tourism Organization turns ten this year. The JTO has released its plans for the next decade-plus, and they include more duty free shops and the creation of 1,000 new jobs. Mike Laidman reports.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the foundation of the Jeju Tourism Organization.

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JTO releases ‘Vision 2030’

As such, the office has released both its mid- and long-term strategies, called "Vision 2030," after consultation with experts.

The strategy lists three objectives.

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Goal 1: Increase contribution of tourism revenue 51% → 58.5%

First, the JTO is planning to increase its contribution level of tourism revenue to the island from 51 percent to 58.5 percent.

That number is now at 87 percent of the contribution level given in other developed countries.

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Goal 2: \500b in sales by 2030, 1,000 new jobs

Second, it is aiming to achieve 500 billion won in sales and create 1,000 new jobs, which will help to spread its earnings back into the community.

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Goal 3: Raise happiness index to 75%

Lastly, it will make efforts to increase the happiness index, one of the qualitative indicators of the tourism sector, to 75 percent - the same level as some other wealthy nations.

Recording
Park Hong-bai / CEO, Jeju Tourism Organization
My office will make every effort to achieve these goals by making changes both within and outside the JTO.
<녹취: 박홍배 제주관광공사 사장>
"앞으로 우리 공사는 목표 달성을 위해 조직 내외적으로 변화와 성과를 만들어나가는데 최선의 노력을 다하겠습니다"

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1,000 new jobs will come with duty free expansion

However, there is a precondition for the creation of so many new jobs. Namely, the JTO must look towards the expansion of its duty free shops, which are its only revenue-making venture.

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Relocation of JTO duty-free shops being planned

The organization is giving shape to its plan of relocating its duty free shop at the Jeju International Convention Center to a location near the Jeju International Airport.

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Additional duty-free shops at ports, airport being readied

Additional duty free shops at local ports and airport departure areas are also being readied.

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Shops at new airport, airport arrival area under consideration

New shops at the island's second airport and current airport arrival areas are under consideration, as Seoul is now reviewing plans to introduce duty free businesses in such areas.

Recording
Park Hong-bai / CEO, Jeju Tourism Organization
About 350 employees work for a duty free shop. If we open 3 additional shops, we would create more than 1,000 jobs.
<녹취:박홍배 제주관광공사 사장>
"나머지 350명의 브랜드 직원이 있습니다. 그래서 최소한 3군데(면세점)만 확보된다 하더라도..."

[Reporter] Mike Laidman
[Camera] Park Byeong-joon

However, if its duty free business cannot be expanded as planned, the rosy future the JTO has painted may not make it much further at all.

Mike Laidman, KCTV