[E-Daily Reporter LEE SEON-WOO ]

◇South Coast Marine Tourism and MICE City Forum
The “South Coast Marine Tourism and MICE Cities Forum,” hosted by Yeosu City, will be held on the afternoon of the 10th at the Grand Hall of the Yeosu World Expo Site. Under the theme “Connecting the South Coast, Opening the Future,” Harry Huang, Director of the Asia-Pacific Region at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will deliver the keynote speech. This will be followed by presentations on Mongolia’s successful bid to host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP17), Sydney, Australia’s “Blue Economy,” and Macau’s event tourism strategy. The Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, and the Korea Maritime and Fisheries Development Institute are scheduled to present plans and strategies for revitalizing the South Coast’s ultra-wide-area tourism region.

◇Call for Ideas on Utilizing Tourism Data and AI
The Seoul Tourism Foundation is accepting submissions for ideas on utilizing Visit Seoul API data and AI until the 14th. This contest aims to revitalize the tourism AI ecosystem, promote the use of the Visit Seoul API Center, and discover new business models and content that combine tourism data with AI. The contest category focuses on new service ideas that combine Visit Seoul API’s standard tourism content with AI technology and external data. The Grand Prize (1 team) will receive 2 million won, the Excellence Awards (2 teams) will each receive 1 million won, and the Encouragement Awards (2 teams) will each receive 500,000 won. For more details, please visit the Visit Seoul API Center website.

◇ Call for Applications for International Conferences Eligible for Special Hosting Support
The Korea Tourism Organization is accepting applications on an ongoing basis for international conferences eligible for the “Special Event Support Program” until the budget is exhausted. Eligible events are international conferences held for at least two days within this year, with participants from at least three countries and a minimum of 200 foreign attendees, that contribute to revitalizing the local economy and tourism. If selected for support, organizers will receive funding ranging from 10 million won to a maximum of 30 million won to cover one of the following: operation of a “Korea Tourism Promotion Pavilion”; “cultural performances” such as K-pop or non-verbal shows; “tourism programs” such as tourism vouchers; or “souvenirs” such as umbrellas or travel pouches.

◇KINTEX Obtains AI Safety Management Certification
Goyang KINTEX (CEO Lee Min-woo, pictured left) has become the first in the MICE industry to obtain “AI Safety Management” certification. Administered by the Urban Regeneration Safety Association, this certification is awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation of AI-based safety management systems, accident prevention activities, risk response capabilities, and continuous improvement systems. On the 24th of last month, KINTEX announced its “AX (AI Transformation) Strategic Vision” to integrate AI technology into all aspects of management and exhibition hall operations, and is currently implementing 15 key initiatives across five core areas: “safety, operational efficiency, customer experience, organizational culture, and the business ecosystem.”