Plan for Secure Tourism Safety in the Post-COVID-19 Era

Purpose: In this study, the tourism demand expected to surge after the COVID-19 and the various factors which could threaten the tourism safety were examined. Furthermore, through this examination, policy measures were explored to help revitalize the economy and secure the safety of tourists by expanding the tourism industry in the future. Method: In this study, a theoretical review of the tourism safety and threat factors for the tourism safety were analyzed by reviewing the various previous studies and related references. Furthermore, the demand of the for-eign tourists visiting Korea was analyzed through related official statistics, and the tourism demand after the post-COVID-19 was forecasted through the various unofficial statistics. In addition, through such a study, various policy measures were explored to secure the tourism safety in the future. Results: In order to secure the tourism safety in the post-COVID-19 era, it turned out that, first, along with the tourism police organization’s expansion, it is necessary that the tourism police’s operation be transferred to local governments through the self-governing police. Second, it is necessary that the central government such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and the Korea Tourism Organization develop and supply the tourism safety manual in line with the regional characteristics. Third, it is necessary to foster the private security businesses to secure the tourism safety, and fourth, it is necessary to strengthen the safety edu-cation for those serving in tourism related fields and introduce the tourism safety qualification system. Conclusion: Tourism safety is the foremostly crucial step in protecting the body, life, and property of the indi-vidual tourists, and is also a very important issue which may influence the image of a region or a country, as well as the future tourism demand. Hence, in order for Korea to further grow into an advanced tourism country, it would be necessary to seek various institutional improvements and policy measures which can harmonize the government wide efforts for the tourism safety and the expansion of the role of the private sector.