Jeju’s Olle trails coming to the vast landscape of Mongolia

Posted on : 2016-06-20 16:51 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
Tourist boards in Jeju and Mongolia agree to establish one or two trails with Jeju’s distinct pony and ribbon symbols
Members of Jeju’s Olle Trail explore trails in Mongolia (provided by Jeju Olle)
Members of Jeju’s Olle Trail explore trails in Mongolia (provided by Jeju Olle)

Jeju Island’s Olle trails are being exported to the vast plains and lakes of Mongolia.

The Jeju Olle Foundation announced on June 19 that it had signed a business agreement in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar for the joint development of Mongolian Olle trails by the Jeju Tourism Organization and the Ulaanbaatar Tourist Board.

The foundation also signed an agreement with the city’s Tourist Board and Tourism Association for maintenance and repairs on the trails.

Once opened in May of next year, the Mongolian Olle trails will be a setting for experiencing the country’s endlessly sprawling plains and lakes. A course passing through the center of Ulaanbaatar is to be developed to allow visitors to meet locals and experience Mongolia’s nature and culture.

Members of Jeju’s Olle Trail explore trails in Mongolia (provided by Jeju Olle)
Members of Jeju’s Olle Trail explore trails in Mongolia (provided by Jeju Olle)

The idea for the Mongolian Olle trails first came at the Jeju-Mongolia Forum late last year, when members of the Seogwipo Chamber of Commerce proposed to the corporation and Mongolian representatives that they would like to see similar trails in Mongolia.

The Jeju Olle foundation is to develop one to two courses stretching for 13 to 14 kilometers, after which three surveys are to be conducted for courses recommended by Mongolia before a final decision is made. Jeju Olle’s pony and ribbon symbols are also being offered as trail markers. The corporation previously conducted a primary survey on May 2 to 5 with representatives from the Jeju Tourism Organization and the Seogwipo Chamber of Commerce.

Ganse
Ganse

The export of the Jeju Olle brand would be the second. In 2012, development ideas and marker designs were offered for the opening of Olle trails on the Japanese island of Kyushu. The 17 courses currently operated on the island are emerging as some of the top hiking destinations in the country.

The Jeju Olle foundation also launched a Friendship Trail project in 2012 for exchanges with hiking tourism groups in eight countries, including the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Lebanon, and Greece. As part of the project, signs have been placed on hiking trails with pony images and descriptions of the Jeju trails, and promotional information has been made available online.

By Huh Ho-joon, Jeju correspondent

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