By Lee Sun-ho
2011 could be characterized as a landmark year, optimistically speaking, not only for the self-governing island province of Jeju to stimulate tourism there but also for all of Korea to upgrade its prestige and brand image. Jeju's dream is to become one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
The Zurich-based New7Wonders Foundation is a nonprofit initiative established in 2001 by Bernard Weber, a Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker. His mission is to protect the world’s human-built and natural heritages by picking seven natural wonders through a global poll. The New7Wonders of Nature campaign is excitingly different from what we normally think. Its emphasis has shifted from man-made structures to treasures of nature.
The poll is now in its third and final stage in which around 1 billion voters from around the globe will choose the wonders. The official declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be made on Nov. 11, 2011. Encouragingly, Jeju ranked 13th among the 28 final choices narrowed down from a total of 440 candidate locations from over 220 countries after two rounds of voting from 2007 to 2009 and a screening by experts, as officially announced on Dec. 31, 2010.
Jeju might still be undervalued or unknown to many potential voters worldwide. The New7Wonders Foundation has discovered the incredible beauty and pristine environment from waterfalls and rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes and even a volcano. It notes that Jeju meets a number of criteria, including unique beauty, coexistence of people and nature, diversity of natural sites, ecological significance and historical legacy.
Chung Un-chan, chairman of the National Committee of Jeju New7Wonders of Nature says that Jeju’s biggest strength among the 28 candidate sites is it is the world’s first and only place to receive a triple crown from UNESCO. It retains UNESCO's titles of a biosphere reserve in 2002, a world heritage in 2007 and a global geological park in 2010. In addition, the 3.6km-long Yongcheon Cave, a lava and limestone cave is a positive factor. The cave was discovered by chance in 2005 during drilling work to replace an electricity pole. It is yet to be open to the public. Jeju is competing with world-renowned potential rival nominees such as the Galapagos Islands, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Kilimanjaro, Palawan underground river, the Amazon rainforest, the Dead Sea, the Sundarbans mangrove forest, Iguassu Falls, or the Great Barrier Reef. Jeju should boast that it is one of a few sites among the 28 finalists to have a lengthy period of human cohabitation with the natural wonders. In other words, it is the only candidate site where the people, nature and prehistoric remains harmoniously coexist in a single location.
Jeju’s national committee is headed by a former prime minister, who is putting efforts into winning votes from China and Japan on the back of Korean Waves stars. Jeju must be the world’s only natural wonder with the seven themes of the New7Wonders of Nature ― scenery, an island, a volcano, waterfalls, seashore, caves, and forests. Jeju fits well with the New7Wonders of Nature’s criteria to promote awareness of environmental preservation under its catchphrase that our heritage is our future.
With four months to go before the final vote, I encourage all global citizens to vote for Jeju. Votes can be made by calling 001-1588-7715 or texting ``jeju” to the same number or vote online at www.jejuN7W.com or www.new7wonders.com. It is notable to exemplify KT Group’s joint management-labor ``oleo” campaign for Jeju’s New7Wonders of Nature bid.
If Jeju wins, it will be a milestone to switch Korea’s global image from a mere export-led emerging nation to a country with mysterious landscapes and gorgeous scenery. The economic benefits the island will enjoy will last from generation to generation. It could also become a high-tech science and technology development center, a hub for global education and health care, and a place for leisure and sports. It could promote the meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition (MICE) industry. It could prosper as a free international city.
The writer is a member of the investment deliberation committee of the Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC) in Jeju City. He can be reached at kexim2@unitel.co.kr.
2011년 濟州 - 세계7대 자연경관 (N7W) 투표후보지
I. 2011년과 濟州
1. 세계7대자연경관 (N7W) 후보지 28개국의 하나로 투표일 마감 결과의 기대
2. 동북아 3개국 중 유일한 후보지가 된 쾌거 - 중국과 일본도 탈락 됨
II. N7W재단
1. 2001년 출범한 스위스 소재 비영리 재단 (설립자: Bernard Weber)
2. 2007-2009 기간중 440개 후보지 (200 여 개국에 산재)를 대상으로 선정 압축
3. 후보지 최종선정의 역점 : 문화유산 < 자연경관
III. 투표내용
1. 투표권 : 세계인류 70억은 누구나 자격 있음 (10억 이상 투표 참여 예상)
2. 마감일 : 2011.11.10 (목)
3. 결과공포일: 2011.11.11 (금)
4. 투표방식 : 가. 전화투표 - 001-1588-7715
나. 문자투표 - 제주 or jeju or JEJU 입력 후 001-1588-7715
나. 인터넷투표- www.jejuN7W.com or www.new7wonders.com
IV. 투표과정
1. 단점 : 濟州에 대한 투표 참여자들의 과소평가와 인지도 부족 및 투표율 저조
2. 장점 : 유네스코 지정 유일한 3관왕: 2003-생물권 보전지역, 2007-세계자연유산
2010-세계지질공원, 추가: 2007-3.6km 용천동굴 발견, 한류의 파급
V. 기대효과 (N7W선정 전제)
1. 국가이미지 변화 : 단순수출주도 신흥공업국 -> 천연자연환경을 겸비한 다채로운 기 회의 땅 보유국 -> 자자손손 혜택 향유
2. 유발 효과 : 국내외 관광객 급증, 토착/수출용 생산증대, 첨단과학기술 개발/향상,
휴양/스포츠활동의 증진, MICE산업 유치 활성화, 국제자유도시 달성의 가속화 등.
{필자: 李善浩, 제주국제자유도시개발센터 (JDC) 투자심의위원}
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