President Lee Proposes 'Tourism Saemaul Undong' to Revitalize Regional Economies

President Lee Jae-myung has put forth a compelling vision for revitalizing South Korea's regional economies by proposing a 'Tourism Saemaul Undong,' or a New Village Movement for Tourism. Speaking at a State Council meeting on April 14, the President identified issues such as price gouging and discriminatory attitudes towards visitors as major obstacles to domestic tourism. He believes that by fostering a more welcoming and improved tourism culture, akin to the spirit of the original Saemaul Undong that modernized rural Korea, local economies can flourish. The core of this new movement is not just attracting tourists, but creating a sustainable structure that encourages them to stay longer and spend more within the local communities. This initiative directly addresses the persistent challenge of regional decline, where increased visitor numbers often fail to translate into tangible economic benefits for local businesses. The President's proposal resonates deeply with ongoing efforts by organizations like Korea Water Resources Corporation (K-water) and the startup Fuit, who are already pioneering innovative solutions. Their collaboration focuses on developing data-driven regional economic platforms, particularly around dam and lake areas, aiming to connect tourism, accommodation, and local consumption seamlessly. This practical application of the President's vision highlights a strategic shift from mere sightseeing to 'exploratory tourism,' where visitors are naturally guided through local establishments, fostering genuine economic engagement and potentially transforming short-term visitors into long-term supporters, or 'digital residents,' of these regions. This approach is crucial as over half of South Korea's local government areas are classified as at risk of extinction, making innovative solutions for regional revitalization more critical than ever.

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How about we try a 'Tourism Saemaul Undong'?