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Various tourism products utilizing about 2000 islands in Jeonnam Province are forecast to

emerge as splendid attractions in the tourism industry.
   According to Jeonnam Province on Nov. 7, the province plans to actively develop and

operate diverse programs, such as Islands of the Year Hands-on Experience Program,

Open Water Swimming Contest between Heuksando Island and Hongdo Island and

Captain Cook’s Islands Adventure Program, as participation and hands-on experience

tourism products using islands and foreshores starting the next year.
   The Islands of the Year Program is a residents’ autonomous type program, which is planned

 and operated by the island’s residents with the assistance of a KRW 100 million budget by

designating 10 islands every year. The program is designed to invigorate the islands’ specialized

and unique sceneries and experiences. Jeonnam Province also decided to host an Open Water

Swimming Contest between Heuksando Island and Hongdo Island as a nationwide contest by

injecting KRW 80 million through consultation with the Association of Korea Open Water

Swimming in early August next year.
   Especially, a Captain Cook’s Islands Adventure Program is planned as an exploration product

 to attract tourists to the islands in Jeonnam through stimulation of tourists’ curiosity and

dventurous spirit.
People who have explored the 300 islands within Jeonnam Province over the years will be

awarded the Captain Cook’s Islands Adventure plaques and commemorative medals by

selecting 300 islands within the province in six stages. Those who receive the certification

plaque will be asked to act as honorable consuls for PR of islands within Jeonnam Province. 

  In addition, Jeonnam Province plans to unfold promotional activities using four major Internet

portal sites and the province’s various PR media to enhance Gageodo Island (which is the

 farmost island in the west) as the tourist product in line with the level of Dokdo Island, the

farthest island to the east, and Marado Island, which is the farthest south. 

   An official from Jeonnam Province said, “We plan to expand and operate tourism products

 including Island and Beach Olympics, 100 Fantastic Views Stamp Rally, and a Program to

Experience Temples in the Mountains, to which responses from tourists including family unit

tourists were good. Meanwhile, we will make the islands within Jeonnam Province attractive

 to tourists.”

(Muan, Yonhap News) Reported by Staff Reporter, Kim Jae-sun kjsun@yna.co.kr

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November 7, 2006