The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization on April 24 unveiled a brand symbol featuring traditional patchwork to promote "wellness" domestic tourism and 77 related tourist spots. Shown is Soyoheon, a V-shaped structure used for meditation at Sayuwon Arboretum in Daegu. (Sayuwon Arboretum's official website)

By Hong Angie

"Wellness tourism" focusing on rest and health will be promoted through the expansion of related tourist facilities.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization on April 24 unveiled a list of 77 tourism destinations selected for the sector and a brand symbol featuring a wrapping cloth with traditional patchwork.

Wellness tourism uses the experiences of hot springs or spas, meditation, yoga and healthy food while traveling to achieve harmony in physical, mental and social health.

The 77 places are divided into six themes: nature and forest healing (25), beauty and spa (18), healing and meditation (17), Oriental medicine (seven), accommodations (seven) and food (three). This is to allow both domestic and foreign tourists to choose from a wide variety of locations depending on itinerary. 

Wellness tourism experts and a consulting team will offer customized consultations on the selected destinations. The ministry will also bolster strategic support in desired areas such as branding, public relations and marketing, and product promotion as well as help improve service quality and develop interactive programs for wellness tourism.

On the same day, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran visited one of the 77 destinations, Sayuwon Arboretum in Daegu, to announce the launch of wellness tourism in the country. 

Accompanying her were representatives from the ecotourism center of Sobaeksan Mountain in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province; Historic House of Awon in Jeollabuk-do Province; Wando Marine Eco Center in Jeollanam-do Province; Rainbow Healing Center in Chungcheongbuk-do Province; Oak Valley Resort in Gangwon-do Province; and Geumpung Brewery in Incheon.

She delivered later in the day Sayuwon's official signboard, which has the brand symbol of wellness tourism in the form of a wrapping cloth featuring traditional patchwork that has each patch woven to represent hope for a family's health and well-being. The design's intent is to create a unique and differentiated brand value of wellness tourism by beautifully and harmoniously combining its features.

The vice minister also tried wellness programs such as a tea ceremony, meditation, contemplation and healing in nature. She will also discuss with staff from the selected destinations, tourism industry and experts how to stimulate wellness tourism.

The ministry will develop wellness tourism through global marketing including promoting the passage of a bill proposed last year on "healing tourism," fostering sector-specific personnel, and aggressively marketing the industry overseas by hosting and taking part in tourism expos both at home and abroad.

"Wellness tourism focusing on health, recovery and rest has recently emerged as an international tourism trend, so we'll make this a tourism pillar for overseas visitors to Korea," Vice Minister Jang said. 

"We will develop interactive programs highlighting regional uniqueness and actively support promotional marketing to systematically develop such tourism."

shong9412@korea.kr