• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.113-136
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• 2013

The recent rapid increase of international ocean cruises calling at Korea has prompted the interests of central and local governments in promotion of cruise ship tour. Korea's cruise tour policies and facility improvement plans tend to be focused only on main ports of cities with high calls at cruise port, such as Busan, Incheon, and Jeju. However, small and medium-sized ocean cities which represent the coastal areas are also seeking to activate cruise ship tour and attract investment, and therefore they merit governmental support as well. This study looks at the current conditions of cruise tourism in small and medium-sized ocean cities and searches for the means to activate cruise tours. It suggests improvement policies for port services, transport accessibility, urban facilities and tour activity support, as well as expected roles of public and private sector. As a case study of Yeosu in Jeollanam-do, it analyzes the present state and discusses possible future activation programs, comparing small and medium-sized cities with cities with main ports. In order to be a port of call, steady exertions for improvement are required in all areas regarding cruise tourism whether it's main or local. Especially, since local ports in small and medium-sized ocean cities are relatively unlikely to be developed into home ports, policies and tourism programs should be established to support them in being chosen as ports of call.