Culture ministry trains 50 youths for tourism organization careers

The culture ministry said Tuesday that 50 young adults aspiring to work in global tourism bodies have completed an intensive practical training course. Held at the Korea Tourism Organization Seoul Center from September 18 to 19, the two-day program brought together industry experts and current international organization staff to share career strategies.

Participants received instruction on crafting English resumes and mastering job interviews, alongside lectures on the agendas of major entities such as UN Tourism and the Pacific Asia Travel Association. To translate theory into practice, attendees formed groups on the second day to hold a mock international tourism conference debating issues including digital transformation, sustainability and workforce development.

Fabian, a well-known broadcaster, joined as a special lecturer to discuss the future of Korean tourism through a multicultural lens. Kang Won-seok, head of CHC Career Consulting, led sessions on job-hunting skills, while professors Kim Dae-gwan of Kyung Hee University and Hong Eun-pyo of the Korea ESG Management Development Institute provided insights based on their prior experience with UN Tourism and the OECD.

Current officials offered direct mentorship, with Tae Eun-ji, an Asia-Pacific regional officer at UN Tourism, and Cheon Eun-gyu, an official at PATA, sharing advice on preparation processes and daily work realities. Two participants, Lee Seo-young and Kim Hyun-ji, who are scheduled to begin nine-month internships at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid this October, also shared their success stories.

Kim Tae-yi, a junior majoring in Greek and Bulgarian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, noted that meeting current officials allowed her to hear specific answers to questions she had long held. Choi Cha-min, a senior French language and literature student at Chung-Ang University, added that simulating an international conference provided valuable firsthand experience with procedural dynamics.

Ariana Gantsetseg Swen, a master's student in TESOL at Sunmoon University, praised the ministry for providing transportation and lodging support that enabled students from outside the capital to attend. She expressed hope that similar measures would continue to ensure regional students can participate in future programs.

Kang Jeong-won, the ministry's director general for tourism policy, stated that the session allowed for direct communication with the next generation of leaders. He affirmed that the ministry plans to reflect youth voices in broader tourism policies and will continue to expand support initiatives, including projects aimed at creating jobs for young people in the travel industry.