Im Taek, Mayor of Dong-gu, Gwangju, Begins ZPTI Kit Experience Rounding as a Tourist

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Dong-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, is attracting attention as Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu personally participated in the ‘Traveler’s ZIP (JIP) ZPTI Kit Experience Rounding’ while planning and launching a unique travel package product exclusive to Dong-gu to create a ‘stay-type cultural tourism city.’

On the 21st at 11:30 a.m., Mayor Im visited Traveler’s ZIP in Dongmyeong-dong to receive guidance on the experiential travel package ‘ZPTI’ and selected four mission cards he liked from the “Find My Travel Type” activity. According to the travel type (ENTJ) recorded on the back of the mission cards, he chose his own kit and props and began the mission in earnest.

The ZPTI kit includes mission and attraction cards, mission completion stickers, type cards, maps, photo cards, a type grip tok, and also offers rental of a portable printer and printing paper. Before starting the missions, Mayor Im stopped by a popular restaurant in Dongmyeong-dong for lunch. From 1 p.m., he visited Dongmyeong-dong caf? street, rode the Jisan Amusement Park lift car and monorail, and took certification photos at the Sky Park of the National Asia Culture Center and the Chungjang-ro K-POP Star Street.

Mayor Im, who took a commemorative photo with a Peruvian tourist who is a fan of J-Hope at the K-POP Star Street that day, said, “I sincerely thank you for visiting Dong-gu, the hometown of J-Hope, a member of BTS from Gwangju.” He recommended, “During your stay, I hope you fully enjoy not only the Star Street but also the many other sights, activities, and foods available.”

After completing all the missions, Mayor Im returned to Traveler’s ZIP at 5 p.m. and received the ‘ZPTI Certification Badge.’ The ‘emotional tourism’ experience enjoyed by Mayor Im as a one-day tourist using the ZPTI kit is an experiential tourism package linked to major tourist sites, including the ‘Dong-gu 8 Treasures (Dong-gu 8bo),’ which were selected through a public contest based on the MBTI personality test.

The participation method for ‘ZPTI,’ which combines the ‘Z’ and ‘P’ of Traveler’s ZIP and the ‘TI’ of MBTI, is available through advance reservation or on-site application via Naver Smart Store. The participation fee for ZPTI, which has been operating regularly since this month, is 20,000 KRW. In addition, from January next year, ‘Human Rights and History Tourism’ will be conducted at the 5·18 historic sites, and ‘Living Tourism,’ where visitors stay for 3 nights and 4 days in Dong-gu to experience life like a local, will also be planned and operated.

For matters related to emotional, human rights, and living tourism, inquiries can be made to Traveler’s ZIP in Dong-gu, the Neighborhood Life website (donggulife.kr), or the Dong-gu Arts Travel Center.

Mayor Im Taek of Dong-gu said, “We planned and operated a unique travel package exclusive to Dong-gu to provide domestic and international tourists with the opportunity to experience a distinctive tourism program.” He added, “Participating as a tourist for a day today was a precious time to heal by properly enjoying Gwangju Dong-gu, the ‘Honey Fun City,’ and escaping from the repetitive and tiring daily routine.”