Korea, China, and Japan have joined forces to revitalize their tourism sectors, setting their sights on a remarkable goal: achieving 40 million annual exchanges between the three nations by 2030. This ambitious target was announced at the 10th Korea-China-Japan Tourism Ministerial Meeting, held in Kobe, Japan, on Tuesday and Wednesday. This meeting marked a significant milestone, being the first gathering of its kind since 2019, as previous sessions were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting brought together key figures from each country’s tourism industry, including Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Yu In-chon, Japan’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Tetsuo Saito, and China’s Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Zhang Zheng. The ministers delved into strategies to enhance tourism quality, focusing on post-pandemic recovery, sustainable tourism practices, and the revitalization of local tourism. A joint declaration emerged from the discussions, solidifying their commitment to increase annual exchanges from the current 30 million to 40 million by 2030.
This ambitious goal has historical roots, dating back to the inaugural tourism ministerial meeting in 2008, where the exchange figure among Korea, China, and Japan was approximately 13 million. By 2018, this number had more than doubled, surpassing 30 million. The target of reaching 40 million exchanges was also highlighted in the joint declaration from the 9th Korea-China-Japan Summit, approved by the three countries’ leaders in Seoul in May. This recent ministerial meeting aimed to develop concrete strategies to achieve this ambitious goal.
Minister Yu In-chon, representing Korea, emphasized several key areas to advance tourism collaborations. One of the primary focuses was the enhancement of immigration procedures to facilitate smoother travel across the three countries. Yu highlighted the importance of not only improving the efficiency of border crossings but also ensuring that future generations benefit from increased cultural and educational exchanges. This vision aims to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships among the youth and communities in these nations.
Furthermore, Yu engaged with the Japanese government to explore strategies for achieving balanced growth in tourism exchanges. This included deliberating on measures to support equitable tourism development that benefits all three countries. The conversation covered the need for joint efforts to address challenges and opportunities in the tourism sector, ensuring that growth is sustainable and advantageous for all parties involved.
Discussions with the Chinese government focused on addressing the issue of low-cost shopping tours in Korea. Yu advocated for cooperative efforts to combat the negative impacts of these tours, which have been seen as undermining the quality of tourism experiences. The aim was to find effective solutions to prevent these practices and to promote a more authentic and enriching travel experience for tourists.
The collaborative meetings showcased a commitment to not only addressing current challenges but also to planning for future advancements in tourism. By aligning on these goals and strategies, Korea, China, and Japan seek to enhance their tourism sectors and strengthen their regional ties, paving the way for increased exchanges and improved experiences for travelers across these vibrant cultures.
