The theme of the 2017 Jeju Biennale is "Tourism."

This is because the tourism industry is seen as a crucial keyword that can address Jeju's current situation. Moreover, as it is a contemporary issue that other countries, cities, and regions also grapple with, "Tourism" allows us to examine our current lives comprehensively.

At this moment, when a deep reflection and reassessment of the tourism industry are required, the Jeju Biennale seeks to use "tourism" as a medium to reflect on our reality in Jeju, a place at the heart of conflicts arising from the tourism industry.

The Jeju Biennale is a socio-artistic project that begins by examining today's Jeju through the lens of its social issue: tourism.
In recent years, Jeju has faced several problems due to the explosive increase in the number of tourists.Although Jeju's tourism industry is still in a growth phase, it is an important time to calmly consider the future of tourism while simultaneously addressing unforeseen problems that have emerged. The Jeju Biennale aims to address tourism at this critical juncture through artistic communication.

Tourism is a time of excitement, a departure from the familiar, and the planning of a trip often serves as a driving force to get through difficult days.However, the perspective of those whose livelihoods are tied to tourist destinations may differ. For tourism workers, tourists are vital customers who invigorate the economy on both personal and regional levels. But for those unrelated to the industry, tourists can be seen as outsiders who seriously disrupt the order of daily life. These differing perspectives can lead to conflicts as the situations collide.
In this way, the mechanisms of tourism cast both light and shadow over our lives

The positive effects of tourism can be overshadowed by the global social issues of over-tourism and touristification, which have become pronounced in many destinations around the world.At this point, when deep reflection and comprehensive reassessment of tourism are necessary, the Jeju Biennale provides a space in Jeju where the local community and artists can together contemplate the meaning of tourism today.