우리나라 도서(섬) 지역의 인구소멸 위기 대응전략

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to seek a realistic approach to respond to the population crisis in Korea’s island regions. In this study, the population crisis caused by aging and declining birth rates in island areas was judged based on the extinction risk index of island areas, and tourist attraction was presented as a radical approach as a realistic alternative to resolve the risk of this problem. In order to understand the implications of what attracting tourists realistically means, the consumption power of one person on an island was calculated based on data collected through various existing studies on the economic effect on the region. How many tourists should the island region attract to replace this? As a result of an analysis conducted to answer this question, the number of tourists needed to replace local consumption per resident was as follows, focusing on representative island regions. In the case of Shinan-gun, the number of tourists required to replace local consumption per resident was 17 overnight tourists or 48-day tourists, or 8 overnight tourists and 25-day tourists. In the case of Wando-gun, there were 31 overnight or 85-day tourists, 14 overnight tourists, and 46-day tourists. In the case of Jindo-gun, there were 29 overnight or 80-day tourists, 13 overnight tourists, and 42-day tourists. Based on these data, when the number of island residents decreases, attracting the number mentioned above abovementioned tourists can cause a tourism substitution effect on consumption. In order to respond to regional extinction, this study proposed solutions through tourism as follows. Firstly, the most straightforward approach to attracting tourists to islands is to convince them of food-based tourism. No visitor will refuse if the quality is good and the price is reasonable. Secondly, based on the island regions’ resources, it will be possible to present a sustainable natural environment-based learning trip as a tourism product. This is also a definite and differentiated asset of the island area, which differs from the city. Thirdly, it will be possible to operate an island village school as a place of learning where people can enjoy serious leisure time on the island. This may include cooking alternative, healing, and climate and environment schools, including salt and vegetation. Lastly, there is a need to establish a theme park that uses marine climate therapy to treat pain in the elderly and atopy in children and adults. This needs to be approached by identifying appropriate demand at scale and expanding it.