The South Korean government has officially embarked on a collaborative effort to transform regional airports into strategic gateways for international tourism. By integrating airport infrastructure with tourism policy, the government aims to restructure the influx of foreign visitors and revitalize local economies.

■ From Inbound Hubs to Local Tourism Clusters
On April 21, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) announced the launch of a series of regional forums, starting in Daegu, followed by Gimhae and Cheongju. This initiative serves as a follow-up to the "Regional Airport Inbound Hub Strategy" presented during the National Tourism Strategy Meeting presided over by the President in February.

The inaugural forum held at Daegu City Hall brought together officials from central and local governments, public institutions, airlines, and the travel industry. The goal is to identify specific projects that bridge airports and tourism, with plans to begin implementation within the year.

■ Redesigning the 'Arrival-to-Consumption' Flow
The core of the strategy lies in redesigning the entire visitor journey: 'Arrival – Movement – Stay – Consumption.' Moving away from the current structure heavily centered on Incheon International Airport, the government plans to create seamless routes that lead international travelers directly from regional airports to local tourist attractions.

The ministries will jointly review several key areas:

Infrastructure: Airport slots and passenger convenience services.
Accessibility: Regional transportation and accommodation capacity.
Content: Local cultural and tourism products.
Marketing: Joint promotion through airlines' global networks.

■ Sustainable Cooperation and Expansion
To ensure these discussions lead to long-term results, the government plans to form the "Tourism-Aviation Policy Coordination Council" in the second half of the year. This body will move beyond one-off meetings to establish a permanent system for inter-ministerial cooperation.

Kim Young-hye, Acting Director General for Aviation Policy at MOLIT, stated, "We will utilize the overseas networks of national carriers to attract more foreign visitors and improve conditions for foreign airlines to fly into regional airports."

Kim Dae-hyun, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized, "Regional airports are critical channels for directing foreign tourists to local areas. Through this public-private partnership, we will create a structure that simultaneously increases the duration of stays and local spending."

The government plans to continue the momentum with a forum in Gimhae in May and Cheongju in June, aiming to secure a comprehensive support system for regional tourism by the end of 2026.

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