Hwasun International Forum on Dolmen Tourism Revitalization Marks Success with Key Agreements for Global Collaboration
Nov 19, 2024
- Exploring the Historical and Tourism Value of the Hwasun Dolmen Site and Mosan Village, Best Tourism Village
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commemorative photo of Hwasun County Mayor Koo Bok-gyu (center, front row) and
key participants at the opening ceremony
Hwasun
County, South Korea - The 2024 Hwasun International Forum on Dolmen Tourism
Revitalization, held from October 18-19, concluded with a powerful consensus
among experts from United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)-recognized
Best Tourism Villages (BTVs) on sustainable tourism and cultural preservation.
This milestone event, hosted by Hwasun County and co-organized by the
International Cultural Heritage Strategy Center, International Cultural
Enterprise-Culture Masters, and Lociality Co., Ltd., commemorated the selection
of Mosan Village as a “Best Tourism Village” by the UNWTO. The forum provided a
platform for international and local experts to exchange knowledge, foster
community engagement, and celebrate Hwasun's dolmen heritage, a UNESCO World
Heritage site.
Exploring
the Historical and Tourism Value of Hwasun’s Dolmens
The forum
showcased Hwasun's dolmen sites as cultural treasures, offering insight into
ancient human civilizations. These dolmens, now a World Heritage site,
highlight the significance of balancing historical preservation with local
tourism and economic growth. Hwasun County officials and global experts
collaborated to establish sustainable tourism models centered on the dolmen
sites, with the event serving as a critical step toward merging heritage
conservation with tourism development.
Sessions
Focused on Community Engagement and Sustainable Tourism Practices
The forum
featured two main sessions: "Cultural Heritage and Community
Engagement" and "Examples of Tourism, Promotion, and
Utilization." Experts such as Professor Lee Hee-seong (Dankook
University), Ary Basoeki Albertus (STUPPA Foundation, Indonesia), and Shim
Hong-seop (Hwasun County Cultural Heritage Specialist) shared strategies to
involve local communities in cultural preservation. The second session included
presentations by Jayarajan Vayalkara (Founder of FOLKLAND, Kerala), Naomi
(Director of the Gochang Ungok Ecological Community), and Yevfrat Mambekov
(Professor, Zhurgenov National Academy of Arts, Kazakhstan), who highlighted
sustainable tourism practices rooted in their regional experiences.
A notable highlight was the cultural pride instilled through traditional performances such as samulnori, Jindobukchum, and hwaseonmu by local residents, which reinforced the forum's focus on community participation in cultural tourism.
Culture
Masters’ Role in Implementing Agreements
As a primary
organizer and international cultural enterprise, Culture Masters was called
upon to play a leading role in implementing the forum’s agreements. Through its
extensive global networks and expertise, Culture Masters will ensure that the
commitments made at this forum are carried out, enhancing cooperation among
BTVs and driving sustainable tourism development worldwide.
About
Culture Masters
Culture
Masters (culturemasters.org) is an international organization dedicated to
promoting and preserving intangible cultural heritage. Through global projects,
including educational initiatives, cultural exchange programs, and sustainable
development strategies, Culture Masters works to empower local communities and
connect cultural heritage stakeholders worldwide. The organization’s mission
emphasizes fostering cultural diversity, heritage preservation, and economic
revitalization through collaborative projects. With its involvement in events
like the Hwasun International Forum, Culture Masters exemplifies its commitment
to creating impactful partnerships and advancing sustainable tourism.