[THE INVESTOR] The government will form a 4,500-kilometer trail around South Korea, and introduce medical-cultural tour packages.

These and other measures were included in the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s plans for boosting the country’s tourism industry revealed on July 5. The Tourism Ministry’s plans are included in the government’s strategy for the service sector.

The plans are aimed at raising domestic and foreign tourists’ spending in Korea to 40 trillion won (US$ 34.7 billion) by 2020. In comparison, tourists had spent 25 trillion won in Korea last year. 

As part of the plans, the government will develop tour products that combine elements of Korea’s popular and traditional culture, and facilitate the formation of “hallyu tourism network.” The network will consist of contents producers, local governments and the Korea Tourism Organization, and it will develop tourism products in connection with dramas and movies, the ministry said.

In addition, medical tourism packages and other high value added packages will also be developed.

The government will also select up to five regions to develop as tourism hubs. The hubs will be selected among regions with an international airport. The regions selected as tourism hubs will be provided with a support package for developing cultural contents and infrastructure needed.

The ministry also plans to develop the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics’ facilities as training grounds and tourist attractions.

By Choi He-suk (cheesuk@heraldcorp.com)