Ulleung's Annual Tourist Count Nears Drop Below 300,000... Park Kiho of Ulleung County Council Proposes 'Half-Price Travel Policy'
Park Kiho, member of the Ulleung County Council, pointed out the current crisis facing Ulleung’s tourism industry during a five-minute free speech at the regular session held on the 30th of last month. He urged the executive branch to promptly devise and implement short-term measures that can be executed immediately.
Park noted, "As of the end of August this year, the cumulative number of tourists has plummeted by 20% compared to last year, and usage of major facilities has dropped to about half its previous level. The annual tourist count is now in danger of falling below 300,000." He added, "While it is true that external factors such as the economic downturn and high ferry fares have affected the decline in tourists, the administration cannot use these as an excuse for inaction."
Park proposed a range of policies to revitalize tourism in Ulleung, including a "half-price travel policy" where a portion of tourists' expenditures would be refunded as Ulleung Sarang Gift Certificates, a "travel agency recruitment incentive system" providing support based on actual visitors recruited, and the promotion of "Dokdo Academy educational programs" through MOUs with local governments, boards of education, and public institutions across the country.
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He also emphasized that, since tourism-related work is currently scattered across multiple departments within the Ulleung County Office, the effectiveness and focus of policy execution has diminished. Park called for the expansion and reorganization of these departments into a single, comprehensive tourism division equipped with sufficient budget and personnel, alongside the implementation of performance-based rewards and personnel incentives. Additionally, he recommended ongoing communication with small business owners to address issues such as unfriendly service and price gouging, as well as establishing a round-the-clock hospitality system involving both residents and local businesses.
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