Cruise tourism is being recognized as a new growth engine for local economies and regional tourism. The Korea Tourism Organization has launched a field-based cooperation system with Adora Cruises, China's largest state-owned cruise line, aimed at increasing the duration of stays and expanding local consumption.
On August 6, the Korea Tourism Organization announced the establishment of the 'Island Island Yeosu Cruise Council' in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, in collaboration with Adora Cruises. This council focuses on enhancing the duration of stays at port destinations and increasing local spending, with plans to expand cooperation to major ports such as Busan, Incheon, and Sokcho in the second half of the year.
This council is the first event organized after restructuring the previously nationwide cruise development council to focus on local field operations. It aims to assess regional tourism resources and port conditions on-site while discussing tailored cooperation plans among local governments, foreign cruise lines, and local travel agencies.
Adora Cruises operates 91 of the 451 cruise calls to South Korea in the first half of this year, accounting for about 20 percent of the total, making it a significant player in the inbound cruise market. The Korea Tourism Organization plans to strengthen cooperation connecting the Chinese cruise market with local tourist destinations as a continuation of the strategic partnership established with Adora Cruises in March.
The event was attended by 21 representatives from local Chinese travel agencies, as well as officials from the office of lawmaker Jo Gye-won, the South Jeolla Province and Gwangju Integrated Special City, and Yeosu City, who discussed strategies for developing the local cruise industry.
Participants will tour Yeosu and Busan until August 9, visiting key tourist sites and port facilities, including the Yeosu Expo International Cruise Terminal, Odongdo, Busan International Market, and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple. They will evaluate tourism routes, accommodation readiness, and content competitiveness to inform future cruise tourism product development.
The Korea Tourism Organization plans to continue its efforts to develop specialized cruise tourism products and address local challenges and regulatory improvements, starting with Yeosu and expanding to major ports like Busan, Incheon, and Sokcho in the second half of the year.
Ban Ho-cheol, head of the Theme Content Team at the organization, stated, 'We have established a cooperative system that allows foreign cruise lines and domestic related agencies to reflect the characteristics of port destinations on-site. We will expand the attraction of cruise tourists through the development of customized cruise products that highlight the unique features of each port and improve accommodation readiness.'
This council aligns with the government's ongoing policy to revitalize cruise tourism. The government is investing an additional 3.4 billion won this year to enhance tourism programs and accommodation readiness at major ports such as Busan, Incheon, Yeosu, Sokcho, Seosan, and Pohang, aiming to increase the duration of stay for cruise tourists and boost local consumption, thereby revitalizing regional tourism.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.