It has been three and a half years since the Jeju Olle concept was exported to Kyushu and 17 courses have been created during that time southwest Japan. The success of the Kyushu Olle offers lessons for the Jeju Olle system. Mike Balfour reports.
17 Kyushu Olle walking trails have opened with the same iconic Ganse, or Jeju pony figures, and ribbons that you can find on Jeju’s Olle trails.

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17 Kyushu Olle trails now open

The Kyushu Olles and Jeju Olles look alike.

The concept of the Jeju Olle was exported to Japan in March, 2012 and named Kyushu Olle. Its first trail was opened in 2012.

Although the Kyushu Olle is modeled after the Jeju Olle, they are different in some ways.

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Jeju Olle initiated by private organization

The Jeju Olle system was initiated by a private organization to promote a walking campaign. On the other hand, Japanese tourism authorities initially introduced the Jeju Olle concept and developed the Kyushu Olle walking trails to attract Korean tourists.

The Jeju Olle is solely operated by a civil body while administrative offices are involved in the operation of the Kyushu Olle.

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Kyushu Olle are a private/public operation

The Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization, a joint private and public body, is in charge of developing and managing trails.

Japan’s city and prefecture governments are actively participating in the work.

INTERVIEW
Narahara Toshinori / Mayor, Kurume City
We expect many Koreans to visit Kyushu Olle trails, so we’re setting up Korean signs and providing trail information in Korean for their convenience. And area residents are giving warm hospitality to tourists.
< 나라하라 토시노리 / 후쿠오카현 구루메 시장 >
한국인들이 많이 오게 될 텐데 와서 코스를 잘 걸을 수 있도록 한국어 안내나 일반 주민들에게 따뜻한 마음을 느낄 수 있도록 환대, 한국어 /// 표기 등을 잘 하려고 준비하고 있습니다.

Meanwhile, the Jeju Olle relies only on its staff and volunteers. Maintenance and management of trails is often too much for them.

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Jeju Olle Trail 10 closed for year for environmental recovery

In one example, the Jeju Olle Foundation banned public access to Olle Trail 10 that begins in (안덕면) Andeok-myeon and ends in (대정읍) Daejeong-eup for one year beginning this July.

The area has been seriously damaged due to a sudden increase in the number of walkers and sprawling development.

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Residents along Kyushu Olle trails warmly welcome tourists

Area residents’ attitude toward tourists at the opening ceremony of the 17th Kyushu trail is also teaching Jeju something.

They provide food and let tired trekkers use their rooms for a rest and refreshment, which is a strong positive factor to attract tourists.

INTERVIEW
Yamamoto Masako / Area resident
I heard that the new trail was being developed and there would be no restroom on it. I wanted to be a help to tourists, so I let people use my property.
< 야마모토 마사코 / 미나미 시마바라시 >
이번 코스가 생긴다는 얘기와 코스에 화장실이 없어 불편하다는 얘길 들었는데 뭔가 도움이 되고싶다고 생각해서 여기를 내어주게 됐어요.

The Jeju Olle trail system circling Jeju is complete. The Kyushu Olle has potential for many more trails.

The Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization evaluates and designates a trail to be developed by a local government.

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

Beyond its initial goal of encouraging Korean tourism, the Kyushu Olle is planning to attract international tourists from all over the world.

Mike Balfour KCTV