The United Nations World Tourism Organization has reappointed Korea as an executive council member. Shown are foreign tourists in April visiting Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul. (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism official Heo Man Jin)

By Yoon Sojung

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has reappointed Korea to its executive council.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on June 18 said the country two days earlier earned a term on the council for 2023-27 along with China, Japan and Indonesia to represent Asia and the Pacific through an election at the 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia & the Pacific in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

This the eighth term for Korea on the council, its first starting in 1980.

Unlike before, competition for this year's appointment was fierce in reflecting the desire of countries to capture the global tourism market, which is expected to undergo reshaping in the post-COVID-19 era, the ministry said, and the four Asian countries were selected through an election.

Based in Madrid, Spain, the 159-member U.N. body aims to contribute to raising economic development and global understanding, peace and prosperity through boosting and developing tourism. Its 35 executive council members include four from the Asia-Pacific region.

At this year's meeting from June 15-17, UNWTO member states discussed key agenda including adopting international conventions for tourist protection, restoring and reshaping the tourism market in the post-COVID-19 era, and cooperation between the public and private sectors centered on the development of sustainable tourism.

"The meeting confirmed on the spot the Asia-Pacific region's support and expectations for Korea's pivotal role in recovery of the international tourism sector," said Park Jong-taek, director-general of the ministry's Tourism Policy Bureau. "During Visit Korea Year 2023-24, we will present to the world a future-looking model of sustainable tourism by greatly expanding the appeal of Korean culture and tourism."

The 55th Meeting of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia & the Pacific is held from June 15-17 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, (UNWTO's official Facebook account) 

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