Starting next year, the government plans to introduce double-decker tour buses with open roofs.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said Tuesday that it will revise related transportation laws to enable roofless double-decker buses to start operating on roads next March as part of efforts to promote regional tourism.

The ministry also plans to introduce light aircraft that can accommodate 20 to 50 passengers in a bid to promote tours to the nation’s islands and nearby regions.

The ministry added that it plans to step up efforts to develop special tourism zones, including expanding small tourism business, such as hot springs resorts.

A ministry official said the government plans to expand the nation’s tourism volume to 28 trillion won by 2012 and create jobs for some 330-thousand people by promoting tourism in provincial areas.

Last year, the nation’s tourism volume stood at more than 15 trillion won.