Good morning, fellow Koreans,

The unusually long rainy season this summer is now over, and many of you must be planning on taking a vacation. Many others of you, I understand, may not be able to do so this year as well due to one reason or another. I hope that the economy will turn around for everyone so that all of us can take some time off for a vacation.

I can certainly say the Korean economy has been faring well this year compared with other major economies. The country’s exports are strong, and the economic growth rate is way higher than that of the OECD average.

However, the problems of high unemployment and high prices are sweeping the entire world, and Korea is no exception. Export-dependent businesses seem to be doing relatively well, but many people working in the domestic market still have a tough time getting by. It is true that the life of low-income families, too, is hard these days.

More than anything else, the domestic market should be revived for the sake of improving the economic sentiment.

Recently, I heard some good news. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Korean Industries, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business and the Korea Tourism Organization are orchestrating a joint campaign to promote domestic tourism this summer.

In conjunction with this, such large conglomerates as Samsung and Hyundai are launching a drive to encourage their employees to spend their summer vacation within the country. To this end, these companies are giving out travel gift certificates and offering accommodations to their workers.

I understand that some companies have forged a sister relationship with a farm village. It would also be a very good idea for people working in those companies to visit their sister villages.

It is very fortunate that the desperate need to revitalize domestic demand is just naturally understood by the people. Spending vacation time within the country will be of great help in reviving local economies and the finances of low-income people.

It seems that a growing number of people share an understanding that their summer vacation should be taken in the country, not abroad. As a matter of fact, I intend to do so myself, too.

I can say this because many attractive tourist destinations within the nation have been developed over recent years. Up until recently, many people had no other choice but to flock to a handful of destinations, including Jeju Island, Busan and the eastern coast. Now, things have greatly changed.

Many trails for eco tourism have also been created such as the Jeju Ollegil trail and the Bukhansan Dullegil trail. At Naetgang village in Inje, Gangwon Province, tourists can participate in making a raft and go down the river on it. The eastern coast of North Gyeongsang Province has many wonderful beaches. One of them is Mangyang Beach. Dropping by a traditional market, a specialty of a region, such as the Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan will present visitors with cherished memories.

At Haebari village in Namhae, South Gyeongsang Province, tourists can dig clams on the mud flat. Many islets in the southern coastal waters such as Geumodo Island in Yeosu have newly become tourist attractions.

The Cheese Village of Imsil in North Jeolla Province provides tourists with opportunities to make pizza by hand according to their liking. At Byutgari village in Tae-an, South Chungcheong Province, it is possible to have firsthand experience in the production of sea salt by pushing a push stick on a salt farm.

The temple stay at Beopjusa temple in Bo-eun, North Chungcheong Province, would be a good experience. In the metropolitan area, many destinations along the Han River have been created, which allow travelers to have various experiences.

Now, our nation boasts a lot of tourism resources, including eco tourism, experiential tourism in farming villages and trails for family members to walk together.

For young people, I recommend travelling all around the country on a bike. When the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project is completed in the latter half of this year, a total of 1600km of bike paths will be created along the Han, Geum, Yeongsan and Nakdong rivers.

A few weeks ago when I was in Durban, South Africa, many IOC members asked me questions about the world’s longest bike path to be constructed in Korea. Before long, many young travelers of other countries are likely to come to Korea in droves.

The tourism industry tends to create jobs at twice the rate of the manufacturing sector. The economic ripple effect of tourism is far-reaching. Under the current difficult situation, tourism will greatly boost the finances of low-income citizens and regional economies.

According to statistics, an increase of just one more day of domestic travel for every Korean will inject a whopping 2 trillion won into provincial economies as well as create 40,000 new jobs.

Last year, about 12 million Koreans traveled to other countries, while only a little more than eight million foreign travelers visited Korea.

French people vacationing inside their country as opposed to those going overseas exceed 65 percent of all travelers, and for Canadians, it is 80 percent. In our case, however, only half of all Korean vacationers spend time inside the country. Attracting foreign tourists is important, but having Koreans spend their vacation in the homeland is crucial.

This summer, I would really like to see many government workers take some days off for vacations with their families. I have already told all Cheong Wa Dae staff members to go on vacation. As a matter of fact, there are many government workers who had to work ceaselessly even during weekends and holidays this year because of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease and the flood disaster.

I presume many people in the non-government sector have not been able to take holidays as well. I hope they will take time out, reinforce family bonds and feel refreshed. For the first time in a long while, I have made my own plan to spend time away from home with my family.

Fellow citizens, have a joyous summer vacation. And don’t forget to take special safety precautions while traveling.

Thank you very much.