Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City Joins Global Tourism Leaders to Shape the Future of Sustainable Tourism

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will host the 2nd Global City Tourism Summit (GCTS, hereinafter referred to as the "Summit") in collaboration with the Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) and the Busan Tourism Organization. The three-day event will take place from October 26 to 28 at Paradise Hotel Busan and other venues in the Haeundae area.

Under the theme "Local Tourism: Connecting Urban Economies and Tourism Innovation," the Summit will bring together approximately 700 participants, including delegations from 31 cities across 16 countries, government and international organization representatives, tourism experts, and business leaders.

The Summit will explore policy directions and intercity cooperation strategies for transforming distinctive local resources and cultures into competitive tourism assets while leveraging tourism innovation to stimulate urban economies and improve residents' quality of life.

The Summit will begin with an opening ceremony at 9:00 a.m. on October 26 in the Grand Ballroom of Paradise Hotel Busan, followed by keynote sessions, a high-level policy session, an ambassadors' session, a mayors' meeting, and bilateral meetings.

The keynote session, titled "Future Urban Economies Shaped by Local Tourism and Digital Innovation," will examine the impact of sustainable tourism and digital innovation on urban economies and explore new opportunities for growth.

During the high-level policy session, city leaders from around the world will share their tourism policy visions and best practices. Busan will present its initiatives in smart tourism and digital innovation; San Salvador will highlight local economic development and community cooperation; Machu Picchu will address sustainable tourism and urban resilience; and Colombo will introduce its approaches to city branding and tourism experiences.

At the ambassadors' session, ambassadors to the Republic of Korea from four countries will highlight their cities' lesser-known tourism assets and brand values while discussing strategies to revitalize urban economies through tourism.

In addition, bilateral meetings between participating cities and organizations will promote mutual understanding and identify practical opportunities for cooperation.

A major highlight of this year's Summit will be the announcement of the "2040 Joint Vision for Sustainable Urban Tourism" at the Mayors' Meeting, with mayors and municipal representatives from 20 cities participating.

The joint vision will establish key priorities, including resident-centered tourism that recognizes local residents as both beneficiaries and active participants, innovation driven by technology and data, capacity sharing among cities, and stronger sustainability and resilience.

Participating cities plan to expand their framework for cooperation while respecting each city's circumstances and priorities, ensuring that the benefits of tourism generate tangible value for local communities and residents.

On October 27, the Summit will continue with a diverse range of sessions, including "Good Tourism," which will examine tourism quality and new benchmarks for urban growth; marine tourism, which seeks to harness the sea as a driver of urban economic development; sustainable tourism models integrating wellness and local content; and opportunities and challenges for young people entering the tourism sector.

A variety of accompanying events will also be organized to identify business opportunities in the tourism industry and expand exchanges among cities.

The business matchmaking event will provide opportunities for domestic and international tourism companies and organizations to explore new projects and partnerships through one-on-one business consultations and reverse pitching, in which investors present their investment interests and proposals to potential business partners.

The Global City Tourism Roadshow will continue through October 26 in the Gunam-ro area of Haeundae. Tourism promotion booths representing participating cities, international cultural experiences, global cuisine, and cultural performances will introduce residents and visitors to the distinctive tourism attractions of each city.

Through the Summit, Busan Metropolitan City aims to translate exchanges with cities around the world into increased visitor arrivals, tourism spending, business opportunities, and job creation, while strengthening the city's competitiveness and revitalizing the local economy through tourism.

Mayor Chun Jae-soo is expected to state, "Busan's tourism industry is experiencing rapid growth and has reached a turning point toward a new phase of development. Rather than focusing solely on quantitative growth in tourism, we intend to place greater emphasis on qualitative growth. I look forward to working with the city representatives participating in the Mayors' Meeting and the joint vision to explore these issues together and translate our discussions into concrete collaborative projects implemented through the policies and practices of each city."