Korea’s Green Growth

Strategy and Green

Tourism Policy Focusing on Four Major Rivers

Restoration Project

3 May 2012

Young-soo KIM

Director of International Tourism Division Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Republic of Korea

Presidential VISION – Low Carbon Green Growth

Creating New Era towards Green Growth

More than just an environmental policy - a new paradigm of progress - changing people’s behavior and way of thinking

The Way Forward

Green growth

In the Past

Economic growth

What is Green Growth?

What do we mean by Green Growth

“As we go green – we create economic values & jobs”

<Elements of Green Growth>

green energy paradigm

Contribution to the global community

Improvement in quality

of life

Green Technology as a new growth

engine

Why is Korea striving for Green Growth?

Climate Affect

Energy security vulnerability

Economic slow-down

- average temperature rise 1.7℃ (2 times more than world average)

- 140 billion USD energy bill

- growth rate declining since the Asian economic crisis in late 1990s

- growth without rise in employment

“New paradigm is needed”

Tourism industry as a green growth industry

a. High relevance to the environment & climate change

b. contributes both to the preservation of the environment

& economic development

Green Tourism

Emergence of Green Tourism in Korea

Vision

- Achieving Green Growth through Activating Green Tourism

Vision for Green Tourism

Objectives and Key Framework

Expanding Green Tourism Market : 20%(‘08) to 25%(‘14) Diminishing Green House Gas in Tourism : 30% down(‘20)

Objectives

Directions

15 Key

Agendas

Enhanced System for Green Tourism

Expanding Infrastructure and

Tour Products

Enhanced Awareness on Green Tourism and Developing Demands

• Build Law & Infrastructure • Human Resources & Green Jobs • Lay out Guidelines • Support Green Administration • Support R&D projects

• Develop Korean Eco- Tourism Model • Develop Culture-Eco Trail with Stories • Develop Unique Local Green Tourism Product • Four Major Rivers Project • Green Tourism City

• Create Homepage • Expand On /Offline Marketing • Campaign for Low-Carbon Green Tour • Activate Low-Carbon Green Tour • Int’l Exchange & Exhibition

Stage 1(June 09) Stage 2(2010)

Establishing

Master Plan

Detailed Plan for Each River

Activating Local Economy

Stage 3(2011~)

Major Project

Pilot Tourism Programmes

Han River

Geum River

Four Rivers Restoration Project

Nakdong River

Youngsan

River

Making beautiful riverside

village as tourism resources

Creating historic culture

riverside walk by various

themes

* 5 pilot trails in 2010 Ecotourism that connects natural

landscape and green areas * 2.3 million visited Sooncheon Bay in 2009

Four Rivers Restoration Project

Fostering fine culture &

tourism city where people can

experience cultural value of

the rivers

*10 major projects in 2010

Reviving history and culture of the

Rivers by restoring a ferry point

and repairing beautiful tourism

spots

Four Rivers Restoration Project

Providing relaxation, leisure,

sports activities by creating

water-friendly space

Developing environment

friendly river cruise tourism

package

Four Rivers Restoration Project

Restoration of Ecology and Preparation for Water Crisis

- Enhancing the quality of water and restoration of ecology by creating eco-friendly river and wetlands

- Procuring water by establishing sedimentary islands and reservoir

What is the benefit of the Project?

Contributing to Economic Development

- Creating about 200 thousand jobs - Creating 40 billion USD dollars of production-induced effect

Enhancing the Quality of Life

- Creating diverse spaces for culture, tourism and sports - Activating leisure culture by creating water-friendly spaces

Challenges Ahead

Support from business community

- meeting its needs to adapt & change

Continued support from the public

- the key to success of Green Growth and Sustainable and Green Tourism

Green Growth for the Future

Green Growth & Green Tourism is not an option, it is the only choice

However, it is an uncharted course – and we need partnerships

It is the spirit of partnership and solidarity that is needed to

achieve Green Growth in the world

Korea wants to share it with the rest of the world

to achieve greener growth for the global community

THANK YOU