Broadcast Program Drives Rediscovery of Gangwon's 'Hidden Tourist Spots'

September Gangwon Tourism Trends: Over 13.31 Million Visitors and Approximately 180.8 Billion KRW Spent
Compared to Last Year, Hwacheon Sumok Park (79%↑), Compared to Last Month, Yeongwol Moundong Village (70%↑)

Hwacheon Artema Arboretum Park [Gangwon-do Tourism Foundation]

[Asia Economy Reporter La Youngcheol] In September, the total number of tourists visiting Gangwon-do was recorded at approximately 13.31 million, with tourists showing high interest in relatively lesser-known tourist spots.

According to an analysis of major tourist destinations within the province released by the Gangwon-do Tourism Foundation, Hwacheon's 'Arles Theme Arboretum' saw an increase of about 79% compared to the previous year.

Related SNS search terms indicated that two broadcasts featuring the 'Love Tree,' a zelkova tree within the arboretum, titled 'Men of the Wind' and 'Because I Like Go Doo-shim,' aired in late August and mid-September, were factors contributing to the increase in visits. Compared to the same month last year, weekend averages surged by 84%, and weekday averages by 76%.

Yeongwol's 'Moundong Mural Village' showed about a 70% increase in visitors compared to the previous month.

Related SNS search terms revealed that it was well known among walking tourists as a major filming location for the 'Untan Godo Village Hotel' broadcast in August. Compared to the previous month, weekend averages increased by 111%, and weekday averages by 45%. Among these, visitors in their 30s showed an 87% growth rate.

Won Moon-gyu, Director of Tourism Marketing, stated, "The broadcasts helped reveal hidden charms beyond the traditional autumn foliage spots, leading to an influx of tourists from the metropolitan area."

Moundong Mural Village, Yeongwol [Gangwon-do Tourism Foundation]

Meanwhile, according to the '2022 Big Data-Based Gangwon Tourism Trend Analysis,' the number of visitors in September increased by about 1.26 million, a 10% rise compared to the same month last year, but decreased by about 4.39 million, a 25% drop compared to the previous month.

The increase compared to the previous year is mainly attributed to the rise in tourism demand following the lifting of social distancing measures, despite adverse weather conditions caused by typhoons. The decrease compared to the previous month is analyzed to be due to a decline in tourists after the end of the summer vacation season.

Visitor data by city and county showed an increase in visitors to 14 cities and counties compared to the previous year. Among them, Chuncheon City (about 20%), Donghae City (about 19%), and Jeongseon County (about 18%) showed growth compared to the same month last year.

The tourism consumption scale in the province for September was about 180.8 billion KRW, marking a 14% increase (+22.2 billion KRW) compared to the same month last year, but a 33.7% decrease (-91.9 billion KRW) compared to the previous month. Compared to the previous year, tourism consumption increased in the order of leisure (+18%), accommodation (+15.5%), and food (+14%).