Korea to Build 8 Quays for Cruise Ships

Eight wharfs will be built in six ports exclusively for cruise ships by 2020 to foster the Korea's marine tourism industry. The government will also develop cruise tour programs that allow participants to experience traditional Korean culture on land, such as temple stays, tea tasting and pottery making. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries yesterday jointly announced a set of measures to double the number of cruise ships visiting Korea and the number of passengers on them by 2011. The annual growth of cruise tourism is 8.1 percent worldwide, much greater than that of ordinary tourism market, 4.3 percent. Last year, 67 foreign cruise ships touched at Korean ports with 33,993 passengers. To increase the numbers, the government plans to establish quays exclusively for cruise ships at Cheju port, Inchon port, Pyongtaek port, Yosu port and Mokpo port, as well as current Pusan port, by 2020. Some 318.4 billion won of budget will be put in the project. Source: Korea Times