Chungbuk Cultural Foundation has joined as a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).
The Chungbuk Cultural Foundation, based in Cheongju, the capital city of North Chungcheong Province, South Korea, operates from the Chungbuk Cultural and Arts Center, a landmark venue for cultural and artistic expression in the region. Positioned at the heart of the province, the Foundation serves as a hub for creativity and community engagement. Its programs and affiliated organizations are dedicated to broadening residents’ access to cultural experiences, while also fostering opportunities for education and participation.
Additionally, its work plays a vital role in connecting cultural promotion with regional development strategies, including initiatives that strengthen the appeal of North Chungcheong Province as a tourism destination.
Sustainability Commitment
The Chungbuk Cultural Foundation develops initiatives that expand cultural opportunities for residents and strengthen access to the arts. Its programs include welfare support for artists, protection of cultural rights, and projects such as the Integrated Culture Usage Pass and the Culture Consumption 365 Project, making cultural experiences more accessible.
The Foundation also supports artistic creation through funding for emerging artists, rental assistance for creative spaces, and opportunities for exchanges, both locally and internationally. These initiatives extend to youth programs, resident performing arts organizations, and collaborative projects, ensuring that cultural activities are sustainable and diverse.
Another area it focuses on is arts education, with initiatives ranging from early childhood education to professional development for educators. With community-oriented programs such as Our Neighborhood Culture Day, cultural clubs, and the operation of creative laboratories, cultural activities are brought closer to residents and foster participation across different groups.
In addition, the Foundation is active in tourism planning and promotion, focusing on projects that revitalize regional attractions and encourage sustainable tourism. Examples include the development of walking trails such as Chungbuk Lake Park Dulle-gil, cultural heritage routes like Jincheon Nongdari Bridge and Chorong-gil, and promotional events in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization. The Foundation also conducts big data analysis to better understand visitor trends, supports accommodations, and offers incentives to attract tourists. Also, the Foundation has established and is operating the Chungbuk MICE Alliance, implementing projects to improve the competitiveness of attracting MICE events to Chungbuk.
“We are honored to join the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) as a member. The Chungbuk Cultural Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in our communities through culture and the arts, while promoting the unique appeal of Chungbuk as a sustainable tourism destination. In particular, by leveraging Chungbuk’s growing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) industry, we aim to create synergies between sustainable tourism and international business events, offering visitors both cultural richness and global connectivity. Through this membership, we look forward to strengthening international cooperation and advancing regional development where culture, MICE, and tourism grow hand in hand in a sustainable way,” said the CEO of Chungbuk Cultural Foundation.
GSTC Welcomes Chungbuk Cultural Foundation
“We extend a warm welcome to Chungbuk Cultural Foundation as a new member of GSTC and value their commitment in supporting our mission. We wish them every success on their journey towards sustainability,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.
About Chungbuk Cultural Foundation
The Chungbuk Cultural Foundation, based in Cheongju, South Korea, plays a central role in promoting culture, arts, and tourism across Chungcheongbuk-do. Established as a regional hub to expand cultural opportunities for residents, it supports artistic creation, protects cultural rights, and enhances accessibility to the arts through education and community programs. The Foundation also drives sustainable tourism initiatives, combining cultural promotion with strategies that strengthen regional competitiveness. Through its diverse projects and partnerships, the Foundation contributes to building a vibrant cultural ecosystem that benefits both local communities and visitors.
More information here: https://www.cbtour.or.kr/
About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council® (GSTC®) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, the GSTC Standards, also known as the GSTC Criteria. The GSTC Destination Standard for public policy-makers and destination managers, GSTC Hotel Standard & GSTC Tour Operator Standard, GSTC MICE Standard for Venues, Event Organizers, and Events & Exhibitions, and the GSTC Attraction Standard for tourist attractions such as theme parks, museums, and national parks. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.
The GSTC Standards form the foundation for GSTC’s assurance role for Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services but provides accreditation to those that do.
GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGOs, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism. The GSTC is an ISEAL Community Member, a global membership organization for ambitious, collaborative, and transparent sustainability systems, as well as an Association Member of The International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and an Associate Member with the InterAmerican Accreditation Cooperation (IAAC).
Information for media and the press: www.gstc.org/about/for-the-press/
Statements expressed in this announcement are presented for informational purposes only and should not be taken as an endorsement or recommendation by GSTC, unless clearly stated.
Photos © Chungbuk Cultural Foundation
