The 19th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum is being held at the Jeju International Convention Center. Officials from islands in 11 countries are taking part in this year’s gathering, at which they are discussing ways to achieve sustainable tourism development. Lee Hee-jung joins me in the studio with the details.

Bali, Indonesia… Phuket, Thailand… and Jeju, South Korea.

Representatives from some of the world’s best loved islands gathered this week for talks on tourism policies.

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19th Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum
Jeju International Convention Center

The annual Inter-Islands Tourism Policy Forum was held for the 19th time since the gathering kicked off back in 1997.

Some 360 delegates and government officials from islands belonging to 11 countries took part.

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Ko Moon-su

The keynote speech was made by CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Mario Hardy… who stressed the importance of developing hands-on tourist programs that reflect real day-to-day life on the island.

He also said that in order to achieve sustainable development in the tourism industry, local governments needed to cooperate further with the private sector to form a mutually cooperative relationship.


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Mario Hardy / CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association
(English)

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‘Jeju needs balanced policies’

Regarding tourism policies for Jeju, a balance between qualitative and quantitative growth was presented as the first goal to achieve. Delegates pledged to help create a virtuous cycle where public corporations would become more competitive and give back earnings to the local economy. Jeju Tourism Organization’s successful bid to host the next duty free shop on the island was cited as an exemplary case.

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English

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Lee Hee-jung

The matters discussed were reflected in this year’s joint statement.
Members of the forum agreed to share ideas for sustainable tourism policies and strengthen cooperation for joint marketing in the future.