Gyeonggi Province Expands Support for Tourism Industry to Overcome COVID-19

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun Reporter] Gyeonggi Province and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, which have been implementing the tourism industry support project to overcome COVID-19 called "Cheer up Gyeonggi Tourism, Gyeonggi Province Will Be With You" since August, have announced additional support measures by expanding the scope of beneficiaries and budget.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 22nd that it will conduct the second round of recruitment for "Cheer up Gyeonggi Tourism, Gyeonggi Province Will Be With You" on a first-come, first-served basis starting from the 23rd to support the tourism industry, which has become more difficult due to the recent resurgence of COVID-19.

"Cheer up Gyeonggi Tourism, Gyeonggi Province Will Be With You" is a tourism industry revitalization project consisting of four businesses: ▲specialized support for the travel industry ▲structural improvement of the tourism industry ▲strengthened MICE competitiveness ▲joint public-private promotion "Responsible Tourism Season 2."

The province explained that the support fund will expand from 595 companies and 2.96 billion won in the existing round to 650 companies and 3.14 billion won in this second round of recruitment. Additionally, the province plans to expand beneficiaries by relaxing the support criteria from companies with 70% or more sales decline compared to the previous year in the first round to 60% or more.

First, the specialized support project for the travel industry will recruit 250 companies that experienced 60% or more sales decline compared to the monthly average of the previous year, and will provide support of up to 300,000 won per person per month for four major insurance premiums during the special employment support industry designation period (March 16, 2020 to March 31, 2021).

The tourism industry structural improvement project supports website renovation and employee training. To actively support companies that unfortunately failed in the first round of support, the province has relaxed the criteria to 60% sales decline compared to the previous year, similar to the specialized support project for the travel industry, and expanded the scope of beneficiaries from 125 companies to 150 companies.

The province has also made adjustments to the MICE industry competitiveness enhancement support project to provide practical benefits to the MICE industry, allowing MICE businesses such as tourist hotels to participate in "Responsible Tourism Season 2."

"Responsible Tourism Season 2, Let's Practice Responsible Tourism Again," designed to revitalize domestic tourism consumption, will be participated in by a total of 78 locations including 47 major tourist attractions in the province such as Seoul Land, Korean Folk Village, Herb Island, and Petite France, which were popular during Season 1, and 31 hotels, and will be sold through Coupang, Korea's largest open marketplace, for two weeks from October 7 to 20.

Since the province supports 50% of regular retail prices and participating businesses support 20%, consumers can purchase at a special price with a 70% discount. Products purchased during the sales period are designed to be usable until the end of next year, providing ample time for use. However, items may sell out early, so customers should hurry.

Applications for "Cheer up Gyeonggi Tourism, Gyeonggi Province Will Be With You" will be accepted from the 23rd to October 7 on a first-come, first-served basis. Since there are slight differences in application conditions and support criteria for each of the four projects, businesses wishing to apply must check the dedicated website (together.ggtour.or.kr) and the Gyeonggi Province government website announcements.

For reference, the promotional video and poster for this campaign feature direct appearances by staff members from the province's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and the Gyeonggi Tourism Organization, conveying their affection for this project.

Oh Tae-seok, director of Gyeonggi Province's Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, said, "During this difficult time due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, we hope that this 'We Will Be With You' project will serve as a catalyst for the tourism industry to escape its crisis situation."