Wando-gun Accelerates Preparations to Leap into the 'Ten Million Tourists Era'

Over 5.68 Million Visiting Tourists as of Late Last Year

[Wando=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil] Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do is drawing attention by implementing a 'Big Data-Based Tourism Analysis Project' in line with the digital transformation of administration through industry-academia cooperation with KT, Korea University Digital Innovation Research Center, and others.

According to the county on the 26th, the big data analysis results showed that as of the end of last year, the number of tourists visiting Wando-gun (including non-residents and foreigners) exceeded approximately 5.68 million.

Tourists are experiencing the marine healing program at Wando Myeongsasimni Beach.
[Photo by Wando-gun]

The highest number of tourists visited in August, with concentrations in May, September, and October.

Despite the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the continuous increase in tourists from 2021 to 2022 is believed to be linked to trends favoring pleasant and safe travel, the operation of marine healing experience programs promoted so far, the popularity of major tourist spots such as Wando Arboretum, and improved accessibility.

In particular, the annual increase in tourist revisit rates confirmed the potential of the premium tourism market, which is expected to serve as an important indicator for building future stay-type tourism infrastructure.

The proportion of tourists from the MZ generation is gradually increasing, while tourism consumption is led by middle-aged and older adults aged 40 and above.

The scale of tourism consumption last year was approximately 65.3 billion KRW, an increase of about 10.1% compared to the previous year.

By industry, food and beverage and shopping retail sectors have relatively high proportions, while accommodation, leisure, and public transportation sectors are low, indicating an urgent need to expand stay-type tourism infrastructure and discover tourism consumption venues that match tourism trends.

Nearby cities such as Mokpo and Gwangju Metropolitan City had many day-trip tourists, and the proportion of tourists visiting from the Seoul metropolitan area increased every year.

The county plans to actively attract tourists from large cities such as Gyeonggi-do.

Last year's Jangbogo Seafood Festival Opening Ceremony
[Photo by Wando-gun]

Regarding festivals, the Jangbogo Seafood Festival showed economic effects driven by consumption from middle-aged and older adults in their 40s and 50s within the county, while the Cheongsando Slow Walking Festival was effective in attracting long-distance tourists from the Seoul metropolitan area and others.

Wando-gun's tourism big data is expected to be usefully utilized in establishing directions for improvement and development of local festivals.

The county plans to focus investments on infrastructure for stay-type tourists, while promoting various policies such as building accommodation facilities for the MZ generation, expanding wellness experience events, and SNS tourism marketing, and strengthening the unique domestic tourism brand like 'Wando Port, the closest port to Jeju Island.'

Additionally, the big data analysis results will be used to solve various issues such as welfare, housing, education, and jobs.

A county official stated, "Since scientific and objective diagnoses and policy directions for Wando tourism have been established, we will actively utilize them to revitalize the tourism industry and local economy."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Kyung-pil ckp6737@asiae.co.kr