The Tourism Promotion Organization for Global Cities (TPO) successfully concluded two major talent development programs in October, reinforcing its commitment to building a sustainable tourism workforce.
K-CLIP Welcomes Record Participation
TPO announced that the Korean Culture & Language Immersion Program (K-CLIP) was successfully completed across four Korean cities, Andong, Mungyeong, Daegu, and Busan from October 19 to 29, 2025. The program welcomed 29 young participants from 22 cities across 10 countries and regions, including Australia, China, and Malaysia.
K-CLIP 2025 achieved record-breaking interest with 225 applications from 93 cities across 19 countries, the highest since its launch in 2009. Over 11 days, participants engaged in traditional cultural activities, visited UNESCO World Heritage sites, explored cultural heritage, and experienced modern tourism attractions. The program culminated in group marketing presentations where participants showcased innovative tourism promotion strategies.
Lasting Impact Through Education and Networking
Participants also attended several sessions of the Global City Tourism Summit, broadening their perspectives on global tourism trends. This integrated approach resulted in an exceptional satisfaction rating of 4.7 out of 5.
One participant captured the program’s impact: “I truly learned a lot throughout the whole K-CLIP program, and I never expected that through this trip, I would meet my dearest Korean friend”a reflection of K-CLIP’s dual achievement in education and cross-cultural networking.
Following the program, select graduates were appointed as TPO Supporters for a three-month to create media content promoting TPO member cities on TPO’s official YouTube channel. (https://youtube.com/@tposecretariat7984?si=AszUAG-bTPmriFLi)
Capacity Building Program Explores Workation Models
During the same period, the Capacity Building Program was held in Busan from October 27 to 30, 2025. Themed “Coexistence of Work and Travel: New Lifestyles Created by Workation”, Busan’s tourism policy combining work and vacation, the program brought together 14 government officials from 9 cities across five countries.
The program consisted of workation center visits, case study discussions, site inspections, and policy exchange sessions. Participants toured Busan’s workation center, experiencing the city’s public workation model with high-quality facilities and strong connectivity. They attended thematic sessions at the first Global City Tourism Summit and visited Busan’s tourist destinations, including the beach train, local coffee streets, and media art museums. These activities provided valuable benchmarking opportunities, demonstrating how tourism infrastructure can serve both leisure travelers and remote workers.
Expanding Global Tourism Collaboration
Building on this year’s success, TPO plans to continue both programs in 2026 and is currently accepting applications from member cities interested in hosting CLIP and other tourism promotion programs.
“K-CLIP and the Capacity Building Program demonstrate TPO’s role in cultivating future tourism talent and leading cooperation among member cities,” said Kang Da-eun, Secretary-General of TPO. “We remain committed to advancing sustainable tourism development and global talent cultivation.”
Through these programs, TPO continues to strengthen tourism workforce development and building on this year’s success, TPO plans to continue CLIP programs in 2026 and is currently accepting applications from member cities interested in hosting the 2026 CLIP program until December 12. Interested cities can submit applications via email to jaseo@aptpo.org.
Tourism Scope 