Goheung-gun Ranks 4th Nationwide in Visitor Growth Rate Last Year

Amid COVID-19 Challenges, "Cheongjeong Goheung" Image Highlights 6% Increase in Tourist Visits Compared to 2019

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Goheung-gun (Governor Song Gwi-geun) announced on the 25th that the number of visitors last year increased by 6% compared to the previous year, ranking 4th nationwide.

According to the Korea Tourism Organization (President Ahn Young-bae)'s tourism-specialized big data platform 'Korea Tourism Data Lab,' although the number of visitors nationwide decreased by 18% compared to 2019, Goheung-gun was analyzed as a region where visitors actually increased.

This appears to be influenced by recent travel trends where visitors are increasing around lesser-known hidden tourist spots, contactless nature tourism sites, and campgrounds amid the COVID-19 situation.

Goheung-gun is gaining attention despite COVID-19 expectations, centered on clean tourist destinations such as the Palyoung Bridge and Space Launch Observatory, which opened last year, Namyeol Sunrise Beach?the only surfing spot on the southern coast?and Goheung Bay Waterfront Sunset Park, known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets, combined with fresh and delicious various agricultural, marine, and livestock products.

Additionally, Goheung-gun was shown in last month's analysis by Shinhan Card Big Data Research Institute on “Shinhan Card usage details, etc.” that the amount spent by residents of the metropolitan area at Goheung-gun merchants from January to October last year increased by 25% compared to 2018.

A county official stated, “The special situation of COVID-19 seems to have provided an opportunity to explore the direction Goheung tourism should take,” adding, “We will continue to develop as the number one safe and clean tourism destination by promoting tourism policies that leverage our county’s strength of ‘Clean Goheung.’”