• A new slate of rules recently implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government for the neighborhood, known for its well-preserved traditional Korean houses known as hanok, which date back to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1897).

• Visitors will only be allowed to go to Bukchon between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday, and Sunday is strictly off-limits to non-residents. The city of Seoul decided to preserve and restore the hanok of Bukchon after many of these traditional houses were destroyed as a result of South Korea’s rapid modernization in the last century.

• Since the 2000s, the city government has actively encouraged residents to renovate their hanok with government support.

• The Korea Tourist Police unit was launched in October 2013. Stationed in popular tourist areas, such as Myeongdong, Itaewon, Dongdaemun, Insadong, Hongdae, Cheonggyecheon, and City Hall, this special police force provide diverse services for tourists and are charged with preventing crime and other illegal activities, handling complaints, and providing tourist assistance.

• A total of 101 tourist police have been selected through a highly competitive process and have pledged to do their best to ensure that all visitors to Korea have a safe and enjoyable trip.

• This is an un-manned rental system that can be conveniently used anywhere, anytime by anyone.

• Bikes are designed to be used by all including women, the elderly and the infirm. Made of lightweight and durable materials, the bicycles prioritize driving stability and user convenience.

• The system was designed to resolve issues of traffic congestion, air pollution, and high oil prices in Seoul, and to build a healthier society while enhancing the quality of life for Seoul citizens.

• “Seoul – a healthy city of bikes, a global city of bikes” is what the Seoul Metropolitan Government aiming for.

• Cheonggyecheon is a 10.9-kilometre-long, modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul, South Korea.

• The massive urban renewal project is on the site of a stream that flowed before the rapid post-war economic development caused it to be covered by transportation infrastructure.

• The $900 million project initially attracted much public criticism but, after opening in 2005, has become popular among residents and tourists.

• The stream helps to protect flood; increases over biodiversity by 639% between pre-restoration in 2003 and today; reduces the urban heat island effect with temperatures along the stream 3.3° to 5.9°C cooler than on a parallel road 4-7 blocks away; and to reduce small-particle air pollution by 35% from 74 to 48 micrograms per cubic meter.

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• The Seoul International Fair & Sustainable Tourism Forum is an annual event takes place in Seoul since 2012.

• The sessions were attended by hundreds of high-level representatives from national tourism administrations, city authorities and related tourism stakeholders, and offered a venue to share policy strategies and action plans to handle over-tourism and to promote harmonious relationships between all stakeholders/co-creators of the tourist experiences, including travelers, host communities, tour operators, etc.

• Five panelists representing the cities of Amsterdam, Barcelona, Cape Town, Venice and Seoul tourism organizations provided their insights on how to adopt a local approach to economic and social development in urban destinations by integrating the local community into the tourism value chain.

• As a result of the SIFT Forums, the Seoul Metropolitan Government last month announced a set of eight measures aimed at promoting fair and sustainable tourism in Seoul through better management of the flows of tourists.