The NEAR International Forum was held from November 25 to 26 at Andong Grand Hotel. Under this year’s theme, ‘Cooperation and Co-prosperity in Northeast Asia through Tourism,’ approximately 300 participants including representatives of members, international, local scholars, experts and related international organizations attended the forum. Among the guests the Forum hosted: the Vice Governor of Economic Planning of Gyeongsangbuk-do JUNG Byung-yoon; the Mayor of Andong KWOEN Young-sae; the CEO of Korea Tourism Organization JUNG Chang-soo; the Consul-General of the Russian Federation in Busan Alexander VOSTRIKOV; the Deputy Governor of Uvurkhangai province in Mongolia Ishdorj DORJSUREN; and the CEO of Gyeongsangbuk-do Tourism Corporation. Marking its 8th year, the 2016 NEAR International Forum under was held under the theme of ‘the Role of Tourism in Collaboration and Development in Northeast Asia,’ to address major issues in the region and examine the roles of regional governments in diverse and practical ways in order to seek methods for cooperation through topic presentations and discussions. During the forum session, promotion booths were provided which allowed member regions to promote their tourism activities and goods among forum participants. The following day, the participants toured to the new government office buildings of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, which were relocated this year. The design and architecture is inspired by the beauty of Korean traditional housing known as 'Hanok'. The participants also visited Hahoe Village, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and had an opportunity to learn and understand more about Korean traditional culture.