Tourism experts from both Korea and abroad gathered in Seoul to discuss ways to alleviate poverty by developing the tourism industry.

The third Policy Forum on International Tourism Cooperation took place at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, on September 22. The forum was attended by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Kim Jongdeok, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai and representatives from tourism-related organizations and from the broader industry.



Minister Kim said, “Korea hopes to share its experience in developing the tourism industry so that developing countries around the world can be free from poverty. This government will do all it can in order to make the tourism industry a core growth engine for developing countries."

“The Korean government has been addressing unfair regulations and building the necessary infrastructure so that tourists can receive better services in a better environment. We will provide our all-out support and designate the tourism industry as one of the seven promising service industries, so that it can become one of the strategic sectors of the economy,” said the minister.




UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai delivered the keynote speech, “Sustainable Development Through Tourism: the Case for Development Assistance in Tourism.”

“Today, Korea provides the tools and the resources necessary for these countries to overcome poverty and to achieve development themselves,” said the UNWTO secretary general, while praising Korea’s transformation from a developing country into a developed one.

“It is thus with great enthusiasm that we are working with the government of Korea to transform the existing ST-EP Foundation into a new International ST-EP Organization, as was decided by UNWTO member states on the occasion of the 20th session of the UNWTO General Assembly,” said Rifai.

The International ST-EP Organization is a U.N. body that focuses on eliminating poverty by developing a sustainable tourism.

By Yoon Sojung
Korea.net Staff Writer
arete@korea.kr