Ecotourism Policies in Korea - Pursuing nature conservation & Making Communities more vibrant For Special Session on Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development of Tourism In Small Island Developing States (SIDS) 18 April 2014, Busan By Inkyu Shin Deputy Director of Nature Policy Division Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea
Contents Ⅰ. II. III. Ecotourism Policies in Korean Case 1: Myeongpum Maeul in Gwanmaedo Island Case 2: Sunheul 1-ri in Jeju Island
Contents Ⅰ. II. III. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Case 1: Myeongpum Maeul in Gwanmaedo Island Case 2: Sunheul 1-ri in Jeju Island
1. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Background and Progress Ecotourism in Korea I.
2. Legislation on Ecotourism I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Ecotourism under Natural Environment Conservation Act - Destination of ecotourism: Nature-friendly tourism in an area with excellent ecosystems or beautiful landscape where tourists learn and experience the importance of environment through conservation and wise use of natural assets - Building facilities for conservation and use of natural environment - Designation of ecotourism destination and provision of support for designated destination - Training programme for natural environment interpreter - Approval on creation of Ecotourism Korea (December 2013)
3. Policy Framework I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Support for representative ecotourism destinations - Designation Scheme for Ecotourism Destination (Article 41 of the Natural Environment Conservation Act) - Myeongpum Maeul in National Parks Infrastructure -Eco-village, Eco tour and experience facilities, Eco-trekking trails - Natural Environment Interpreter Training Programme (Article 59 of NEC Act) Natural Environment Interpretation Service Programme in National Parks and nature reserves Promotion and Sharing Programmes - Ecotourism story-telling contest - Korean Green-passport - Eco-sharing Programme
I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Designation Scheme for Ecotourism Destination Ecotourism Destination: Ecotourism Destination is a tourist destination that is of high conservation value and provide positive experiences of and education for the importance of ecological protection in order to foster ecotourism in Korea The Minister of Environment is responsible for designation of ecotourism destination, after discussion with Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ecotourism promotes conservation of natural resources and invigorates local economy
I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Designation Scheme for Ecotourism Destination Support for Ecotourism Destinations Local ecotourism council or discussion panel, networking, expert consulting, support for promotion of destination home and abroad 3-year supporting plan and designation of up to 30 ecotourism designations by 2017 (additional designation every year)
12 ecotourism destinations (designated in 2013) I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Cheonsuman Bay, Seosan Demilitarized Zone, Yanggu The high moor Yongneup, Inje Estuary of the Geumgang River and Yubudo Island, Seocheon Baekryung Cave Pyeongchang Wangpicheon Valley, Uljin
12 ecotourism destinations (designated in 2013) I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Suncheon Bay, Suncheon Upo Wetland, Changnyeong The Taehwa River, Ulsan Dongbaekdongsan (Camellia Hill) Wetland, Jeju Anggang Bay, Namhae Estuary of the Nakdong River, Busan
3. Current status and future plan I. Ecotourism Policies in Korea
Contents Ⅰ. II. III. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Case 1: Myeongpum Maeul in Gwanmaedo Island Case 2: Sunheul 1-ri in Jeju Island
Gwanmaedo - the 1 st Myeongpum Maeul (village)
21 National Parks of Korea II. Gwanmaedo (http://english.knps.or.kr)
II. Gwanmaedo 명품마을 名品村 Myeongpum Maeul (Village of Excellence)
II. Gwanmaedo In 2010, villages in national parks needed special supporting policies because of national park boundary adjustments - (before) 58,392 residents in 676 natural villages - (after) 5,846 residents in 129 natural villages There have been many conflicts of interest between residents and KNPS since the designation of National Parks.
Gwanmae Island was II. Gwanmaedo Typical fishing village (126 households, 212 residents) Fishing and fishery farming (main source of village s income) 5,000 of annual visitors 80% of local people are over 60 years old Locals expressed that they wanted the Gwanmae island to continue to be included in the area of the Dadohaehaesang National Marine Park, when the 2010 national park zoning adjustment was carried out KNPS implemented the first Myeongpum Maeul Project(1 million USD) in Gwanmae island
Myeongpum Maeul Project increase in income II. Gwanmaedo Job creation at community level Local food Lodging Change of Industry (Primary Senary) Experiences Attractons Revitalization of local economy
Prior Preparations II. Gwanmaedo
Basic infrastructures built in 2010 Map of Myeongpum Maeul in Gwanmae Island (under construction) II. Gwanmaedo Mashigil for wetland observation Mashigil through pine forest On-site management Centre GravelMashigil Eco Landmark Modern community lodgings Rest stop Mashigil (footpaths) in paddy areas Apricot flowermashigil Traditional community lodgings Rest stop Apricot flower field Rest stop Sweetbrier Mashigil Bicycle Rental Store Wildflower Mashigil Guest House Guest House Four-season Experience Field Balsam flowermashigil Rest stop
Village Organizational Structure II. Gwanmaedo Organizing Committee consisting of Gwanmae Island residents Chairman Vice Chairman Composition of Village Management Consulting Group Marketers, Cooks and etc (5 people or less) Implementation Member Village Environment Improvement Sector Resident Income Improvement Sector Neighborhood Life and Education Sector
II. Gwanmaedo Developing local dishes using ingredients from local source
Converting abandoned buildings II. Gwanmaedo into lodging house
Offering new ecotourism attractions II. Gwanmaedo
II. Gwanmaedo Developing new hands-on experience programs
Providing education programmes for locals II. Gwanmaedo
II. Gwanmaedo Community-led projects related to ecotourism
II. Gwanmaedo Participation of and support from local government
II. Gwanmaedo Local government s support Roofscaping Waste incineration plant markets for local products
II. Gwanmaedo Marketing activities and branding opportunities
More visitors have come II. Gwanmaedo On average, the number of visitors increased by10 times and the overall income of the village increased by more than 10 times, 60000 compared to 2010. The number of visitors increased by 155% during off-peak travel seasons(3,500 visitors per month) 51,956 40,000 41,439 30,000 40000 20,000 2010 년 2011 년 20000 4,553 10,000 2012 년 0 2010 2011 2012 - 봄여름가을겨울 the number of annual visitors the number of seasonal visitors <Visitors>
II. Gwanmaedo Rises in Income & revitalization of local economy 2500000 2000000 1500000 village income local economy 1000000 500000 As the result. 0 2010 2011 2012 19 migrants to cities returned back to the village. Villagers demand re-inclusion of their villages back into the area of National Park nearby (villages excluded from NP in 2010) The local government pledged to provide sustained support (1.1 million USD) Increase in profits from ecotourism encourages locals to voluntarily engage in conservation efforts.
II. Gwanmaedo The future of the Myeongpum Maeul Project Plan of making KNPS Myeongpum Maeul Contents Total By 12 13 14 15 16 17 No. of Myeongpum Maeul 18 9 1 2 2 2 2 Forecasted economic value 12,000,000 Village income($) 20,000 New tourism income 9,000,000 local economy($) 16,000 per household($) 12,000 6,000,000 8,000 3,000,000 4,000 - -
BIs of 10 Myeongpum Villages
Contents Ⅰ. II. III. Ecotourism Policies in Korea Case 1: Myeongpum Maeul in Gwanmaedo Island Case 2: Sunheul 1-ri in Jeju Island
III. Sunheul 1-ri Sunheul 1-ri (Dongbangdonsan wetland), Jeju - Community-based ecotourism
About Jeju Island III. Sunheul 1-ri http://english.jeju.go.kr/index.php/contents/tour
Sunheul 1-ri III. Sunheul 1-ri Comprises of 3 villages on the side of Mt. Dongbaekdongsan (the total area of1968.8ha). 660 villagers in 302 households are mostly involved in agriculture and livestock farming. The town was designated as an ecotourism destination in 2013(after the pilot project in 2012) and a pilot project for Ramsar City Accreditation is being run in the town. It has many tourism resources (natural, historical, and cultural). Dongbaekdongsan Wetland (National Wetland Protected Areas and Ramsar Site) Bangdwigul Cave (National Monument and World Heritage) Maeulpo Altar
Ecotourism in Sunheul 1-ri is mainly led by III. Sunheul 1-ri Jeju Ecotourism Inc. (a social enterprise) Sunheul 1-ri Ecotourism Council
Jeju Ecotourism Inc. III. Sunheul 1-ri At a meeting of natural environment interpreters in 2003, a consensus was reached on the need to introduce a new form of tourism that can replace the traditional, unsustainable one In the early 2000s, young people in Jeju recognized that tourism development wrecks havoc on the environment, and that the profits from the development do not go to locals and the quality of life is getting worse. Jeju chose to introduce ecotourism for conservation and wise use of nature, local economic development, and to boost happiness and well-being. The travel agency was certified as a social enterprise in 2010. It has provided consulting services for the communities and collaborated with them since 2011.
Objectives of Ecotourism in Jeju III. Sunheul 1-ri Social Objective - Social benefits and public interest - Public engagement in plan-making and education - Job creation -Minimizing natural resource degradation - Supply-oriented Sustainable Ecotourism management - Raising awareness on conservation Environmental Objective Integration between environment and economy Economic Objective - Making profit - Economic benefit at local level
Principle of Jeju Ecotourism III. Sunheul 1-ri Eco-friendly lodging that goes well with local environment and is run by locals Tourists enjoy the unique history, culture, and ecosystem of Jeju island with guide from eco-culture interpreters Local cuisine using ingredients from local source (Where do they come from? How are they cooked? How many of them are there?)
Sunheul 1-ri Ecotourism Council III. Sunheul 1-ri Local residents Local-base NGOs Local government, local environment offices, etc. Travel agency (Jeju Ecotourism Inc.) experts/expert groups (Ecosystem, local food, story-telling, etc) Awareness on natural environment resources (such as Gotzawal) Local Ecotourism Council Conservation and wise use of nature led by locals Framework for collaboration Promotion of ecotourism
III. Sunheul 1-ri Government Support for organizing and operating local ecotourism council Support for eco-experience programme on wetland protected area (2011-2012) Support for pilot projects for Ramsar City Accreditation and Designation Scheme for Ecotourism Destination Education for locals, town meetings, education on wetland ecosystem, local food menu, local eco-festival, local council(consisting of locals, experts, government officers, environmental groups, ecotourism experts), monitoring of Mt. Dongbaekdongsan, branding opportunities, logos, monuments, and ecosystem calander for Mt. Dongbaekdongsan Experts consulting and inputs (from MoE, Jeju Ecotourism Association, etc.
III. Sunheul 1-ri Activity1. Town meeting and local ecotourism council meeting The road to harmony between humans and nature
Activity 2. Education for Local people III. Sunheul 1-ri Locals field trip to ecotourism destinations Training programme for ecotourism experts and interpreters
Activity 3. Pilot Project for Ecotourism Programme Sunheul 1-ri Phase 1: Jaenghagohaedeul-got ( the sun is shining on Gotzawal and Ecotourism is the silver lining ) [Ecotourism with focus on history] Phase 2: Baramdara-sunyeuldara ( music flows as wind blows ) [Ecotourism in Dongbaekdonsan wetland(ramsar site) and forests in Geomun Oreum Lave Tube System(World Heritage), together with music concerts] Phase 3: Jejuwaeainyeon-grigo-maeul ( tourists have a special bond with Jeju and its villiages ) III.
Activity 4. Promotion III. Sunheul 1-ri Tapping on social medias: Facebook, Cacao-story(mobile social networking service), Twitter Naver Cafe(online community): Sunheul 1-ri Ramsar Village webpage: www.ramsar.co.kr
Activity 5. Village Community III. Sunheul 1-ri - Community-based festivals with locals taking the lead - Local housewives and food experts jointly develop Sunheul s local dishes using ingredients from local sources.
Activity 6. Support Network III. Sunheul 1-ri The Nationwide Network of Ecotourism Enterprises and Sunheul 1-ri signed an agreement that it provides support to Sunheul 1-ri to foster ecotourism on 6 May, 2013 (with participation of 37 representatives from 17 organizations based in 16 cities)
III. Sunheul 1-ri What makes ecotourism in Sunheul 1-ri so successful? Ecotourism makes locals happier and environment sustainable It is about facilitating wise use and conservation of nature, not about just making profit! Governance Network Building Education and Meetings Programme Development - Government provides sustained support for natural environment conservation, ecotourism infrastructure, and experts inputs and consulting. - A collaborative network aims to ensure that ecotourism contribute to improving well-being of locals. Encourage locals - to take pride in their engagement in ecotourism and nature conservation - to have a strong will to make their neighborhood more eco-friendly - to build capacity to create ecotourism programmes by themselves - Dongbaekdongsan ecotourism programme with engagement from locals - Local natural environment-based approach to generate economic benefits (local products and local dishes)
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT REPUBLIC OF KOREA